Bangladesh national cricket team appeared unfazed on hearing the news that recovering Australian skipper Micheal Clarke has been included by Cricket Australia to play against them in their second unofficial practice match against an Australian XI on February 5. A statement published on the Bangladesh Cricket Board official website, citing Cricket Australia, on Saturday confirmed Clarke’s participation in the match was part of his rehabilitation and to configure his current status.
‘The intention is that Michael will play the match against the Bangladesh XI as a batsman and in a limited fielding capacity. He is making good progress following his injury and the subsequent surgery six weeks ago,’ said Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountoris.
Bangladesh’s ace all-rounder Sakib al Hasan was excited at the prospect of meeting Clarke without taking any extra-pressure on his shoulders.
‘He [Clarke] can score as many runs in the practice game as he wants,’ said Sakib, adding ‘as long as he doesn’t score runs against us in the World Cup.’
’If he doesn’t play in the World Cup, it will be a huge loss (for Australia),’ Sakib added.
Bangladesh bowling coach Heath Streak said the Tigers have chalked out their plans to stretch Clarke to the limit in the practice match.
‘We will push the field back and try to get him (Clarke) to take as many cheeky singles as he wants,’ said Streak.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh cricket team returned to business by completing an intense training session on Saturday following their day-off spent go-karting in Brisbane on Friday.
Tigers flew Down Under early to have a two-week long conditioning camp, based in Brisbane, aiming to adapt to Australian conditions.
After a few days of hectic training, the Bangladesh management decided to give the boys a break.
‘It provided an opportunity for the players to regain some breath of fresh air after the hectic schedule,’ team manager Khaled Mahmud told New Age on Saturday.
‘They were quite excited to be back in training. It was an intense training session in which they participated without any problems; probably because they had overcome the fatigue after the break,’ said Mahmud.
Mahmud added: ‘Recovering opener Tamim Iqbal also looked quite comfortable batting in the nets as well as taking part in the gym session, though he is yet to tryout any sprinting drill.’
-With New Age input
