Australia in Bangladesh Test Series - 2nd Test
- Played at MA Aziz Stadium, Chittagong, on 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th of April, 2006.
Ricky Ponting has hinted that Australia will make changes to their side for the second Test at Chittagong which starts on Sunday. A number of players looked jaded during the Fatullah Test and there are concerns over the fitness of Shane Warne and Brett Lee in particular.
“The last thing we want now are guys going into the second Test match that are fatigued and come up with an injury that could put them out for a long period of time. If you’d been in our dressing room and seen how fatigued and exhausted some of the players are I think everyone would be quite surprised.” Ponting said.
That fatigue has particularly taken a toll on the bowlers. Brett Lee was almost out on his feet at Fatullah - he admitted he was “running on fumes” - and Shame Warne was troubled by a shoulder injury. Both are likely to be rested, and that puts Mitchell Johnson, Dan Cullen and Nathan Bracken in the frame.
Bangladesh, who left Fatullah disappointed with the result but delighted at their performance on the first three days, have one enforced change with Enamul Haque jr rated unlikely to shake off finger pains, and uncapped spinner Abdur Razzak has been brought in at short notice.
What they will look to improve on is their staying power. They appear to wilt as matches progress - which is natural given their lack of experience of four and five-day matches - and that remains a worry.
Australian Team (probables)
Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey, Ricky Ponting (capt), Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Jason Gillespie, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Stuart MacGill.
Bangladesh Team (probables)
Javed Omar, Shahriar Nafees, Habibul Bashar (capt), Rajin Saleh, Mohammad Ashraful, Aftab Ahmed, Khaled Mashud (wk), Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafe Mortaza, Shahadat Hossain, Enamul Haque jnr or Abdur Razzak.
