Mitchell Marsh has expressed confidence in a significantly reshuffled Australian squad ahead of a three-match T20 series against Bangladesh, with the tourists determined to make amends after a chastening 2-1 ODI series defeat.
Marsh, returning to lead the side after missing the earlier Pakistan series and the Bangladesh ODIs through injury, arrives in Chattogram with a largely different squad from the one that struggled against Bangladesh’s pace-heavy attack in the one-dayers.
“We’ve got a big changeover in personnel, and the guys are really looking forward to this series,” Marsh told reporters on the eve of the opening T20. “It’s been a tough tour, but we’re going in with high hopes, to hopefully win this series and play some really good cricket.”
Power-hitter Tim David and all-rounder Aaron Hardie bolster the touring party, with Marsh singling out David as “experienced and really confident in his ability.” Uncapped all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary also joins the squad for the series.
Bangladesh have their own concerns heading into the opener. Captain Litton Das is racing against time to prove his fitness after sustaining a muscle tear in the final ODI, while Parvez Hossain Emon is being monitored for a fever. Left-hander Soumya Sarkar is set to be added to the squad.
“I am better than I was before,” Litton said, expressing hope that he would be available for Wednesday’s match.
The remaining two T20s follow on June 19 and 21, also in Chattogram.
– AFP
Photo: Sameer Ali/Getty Images
