Head refuses to read too much into Bangladesh's warm-up woes

Even though Bangladesh endured a disappointing outing in their only three-day tour match against Cricket Australia XI, Australia opener Travis Head refused to read too much into the result ahead of the two-Test series.

The visitors were bundled out for just 54 in their second innings to suffer an innings and 38-run defeat in Darwin.

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However, Head believes the warm-up result should not be a major concern for Bangladesh, who will face Australia in the opening Test in Darwin from Thursday.

“There's going to be a lot of scrutiny around what goes on -- it's a Test match and we're playing for World Test Championship points,” Head told Cricket.com.au.

“Sometimes playing the better countries, you sit there with expectation. You go into a Test going, 'I just hope I get through it'.

“Then you may come up against a team like Bangladesh, with the week they've had and the expectation of, 'I really expect myself to get runs', and that's sometimes the hardest place to be, when you go out there expecting (to make runs).

A team like Bangladesh, with the week they've had and the expectation of, 'I really expect myself to get runs', and that's sometimes the hardest place to be.

“Because the game is a brutal game. So I think it's just about tempering expectations over the next little period and through these two Tests.”

Head also pointed out that Bangladesh's first-innings performance, when they scored 270-odd runs and had several batters make substantial contributions, was a more relevant indicator of their preparation for the Test series.

“Not a hell of a lot. It is what it is. I've played in some pretty poor ones over the years as well. They're always a challenge because you've got your mind elsewhere, and that's no disrespect to the CA team,” he said.

“But there will be guys in that Bangladesh team who are only worrying about Thursday and what they need to get out of it. They played well in the first innings, got 270-odd, and guys got hundreds.

There will be guys in that Bangladesh team who are only worrying about Thursday and what they need to get out of it. They played well in the first innings, got 270-odd, and guys got hundreds.

“They might be disappointed in what the outcome looks externally, but internally they will just be worried about Thursday.”

Head, who recently won the Allan Border Medal for the second successive time, has never played against Bangladesh in Test cricket. Australia last faced Bangladesh in the format in 2017.

With Bangladesh not being a familiar opposition, Head was asked how he prepares for opponents he has not faced regularly.

“We've got an analyst in our team who is very good. We get a lot of footage and we couldn't be more resourced in that space,” he said.

“Looking at the wicket in the next few days, it's about preparing for what may come through and what we're going to face. I'll continue to do that, prep as well as I can, and go into it.

“Every series is important with the Test Championship, so you have to be ready to play well.”