CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh, CMC – Head coach Phil Simmons has shot down suggestions West Indies will enter the two-Test series against Bangladesh as favourites due to the fact they have played more cricket than the hosts over the last year.
While Bangladesh are yet to play a single series since the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, West Indies have featured in three away tours including the current one, playing five Tests, three One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20s.
However, Simmons said Bangladesh presented a formidable challenge especially in home conditions, and would have the advantage ahead of the opening Test starting here tomorrow.
“I don’t think that will give us an edge,” Simmons told an online media conference yesterday.
“I think Bangladesh will always have the edge no matter who they’re playing at home because they’re very strong side when they play at home, so they will always have the edge even though they haven’t played any cricket for a year.”
He added: “You could have a lack of international cricket but you could be practicing and training properly, and that takes away the rust.
“In that case, the rust is only a mental thing and that will go away after the first couple of hours [on the] first day.
“But they (Bangladesh) are home. When you tour with that rust it is somewhat difficult but they’re home.”
Bangladesh played one Test last year, going down to Pakistan by an innings and 44 runs in Rawalpindi.
Since then, they have seen their itinerary stalled by the coronavirus, with the West Indies series representing a relaunch of their home engagements.
In contrast, West Indies toured England for three Tests last July to signal the return of international cricket following the global lockdown, before heading to New Zealand for two Tests and three T20 Internationals.
Simmons said if there was advantage to be had for West Indies, it would be capitalising on any tentative approaches from Bangladesh as they looked to find their footing again after the long break.
“I think the little bit of vulnerability could be early in the Test because they haven’t played any international cricket for a year now, and getting back into it [there] might be a little bit of vulnerability early on,” Simmons pointed out.
“But I’m sure that will soon be taken care of because they have a fairly experienced team with the likes of Tamim (Iqbal) and Shakib (Al-Hasan) in the team. The experience is there so it (vulnerability) might not last too long but if it does happen, we have to take that opportunity and seize on it.”
West Indies eighth in the International Cricket Council’s Test team rankings, only above Bangladesh who are ninth.
And despite fielding a weakened side after the pullout of several first choice players, the Caribbean side will be looking to turn the page on the 2-0 thrashing they received on the last tour here three years ago.
