Bangladesh Test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim said on Thursday that the prospect of Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazelwood missing the forthcoming two-Test series in Bangladesh would not give them any advantage. Australian newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald quoting Cricket Australia’s team performance manager Pat Howard informed on Wednesday that the pace bowling duo could miss next month’s Test Series in Bangladesh.
Johnson, widely known as one of the most lethal bowlers with sheer pace and bounce, recently reached 300-wicket mark, but Mushfiq believes the presence of the paceman would be rather beneficial to them.
‘It would be better if Johnson comes,’ Mushfiq told reporters in Mirpur. ‘We could score many runs against him in our tracks,’ he added.
Mushfiq also added that the Aussie fast bowling attack has enough repertoire and depth, so the absence of Johnson won’t have much effect.
‘One may think that the absence of two pacers like Johnson and Hazlewood would be good for us, but that is not the case. ‘
Their fast bowlers, who will replace Johnson and Hazlewood, are equally good, said Mushfiq,
adding that in Mitchell Stark Australia have world’s best fast bowler in their ranks.
Stark, who picked up 18 wickets including two five-for in the recently concluded Ashes, is highly regarded by Bangladesh Test skipper for his ability to bowl well in different conditions.
Mushfiq was also concerned about Peter Siddle, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson who could be accompanying Stark during their short trip.
‘Australia’s pace attack is very strong,’ he said. ‘I think Mitchell Stark is their best bowler. He will come and the others who will accompany him will not be easy to play. ‘
‘Stark is bowling faster than Johnson these days. He has tremendous amount of swing as well. Cummins has pace and bounce in his bowling,’ said Mushfiq.
Mushfiq, however, was disappointed to miss the opportunity of facing Johnson, the experience he thought could have been invaluable for them.
‘Playing against Johnson could have been a huge experience for us obviously,’ he said. ‘We played against many great pacers and did well. Hopefully we will play against Johonson in the future and handle him well. ‘
Mushfiq was also aware of the Australians who are hard nut to crack and he believes all the players who represent the side has tremendous mental strength and Tigers have to play their best to get good results.
‘Australia is not like the sub-continent sides. They never let the game go,’ Mushfiq said.
‘They are a professional side. Who is coming and who is not, it’s not that important. To do well against them we have to play our best,’ the skipper added.
Australia will arrive in Bangladesh on September 28 with the first Test scheduled from October 9-13 in Chittagong. The second Test will be held in Dhaka from October 17-21.
-With New Age input
