Published: Oct 26, 2016, 05:43 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 26, 2016, 05:43 PM (IST)
England spinner Zafar Ansari is hopeful of making his Test debut in the second Test against Bangladesh at Dhaka. If Ansari is included in the playing XI, it will be either Gareth Batty or Adil Rashid, who will make way for him. Ansari had received a call-up for the tour of UAE against Pakistan last year, but injured his thumb just hours after he was named in the England squad. Ansari has played just one One-Day International (ODI) for England so far and wants to prove his worth in the nest over the next couple of days, ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh at Mirpur. Full Cricket Scorecard: Bangladesh vs England 2nd Test at Mirpur
“Hopefully I do get a go. I’m hopeful but over the next couple of days I will try to prove myself in the nets and, if the opportunity comes, then great. I think it is always going to be a nerve-racking experience but I feel as ready as I ever have been. And I am coming into a nice environment, a relatively protective environment in terms of the personnel involved, and I think that’s helpful as a young debutant. Also it is one of those situations where all you can do is what you try to do in every match and put the ball in the right place, spin it as much as you can, and see where it goes from there. If the wickets come, then great. If not, as I always tell myself, you can only do your best,” said Ansari, according to standard.co.uk.
England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow has backed Ansari to shine, if he is picked for the second Test. “Zafar’s obviously a quality bowler and he bowled very well in the warm-up game before the series,” said Bairstow. It just shows the strength in depth we have in the squad and we know with six Test matches still to come before Christmas we are going to be tested in all different departments. Zafar’s opened the batting for Surrey before. Wherever he comes in to the order, and with the left-arm orthodox he bowls, it’s exciting for us,” Bairstow said.
With the first Test against India just couple of weeks away, England are likely to rest Stuart Broad for the second Test, with either Jake Ball or Steven Finn taking his place. James Anderson was not fit to play in Bangladesh and it seems like England’s leading wicket-taker will face a long lay-off as he has not been named in the 16-man squad for the tour of India. On Anderson’s absence for the India tour, Bairstow said, “I wouldn’t say it’s a blow to our hopes. That is a strong word because the guys out here are putting the opposition under a serious amount pressure. At the same time Jimmy has a huge amount of experience in sub-continental conditions. He’s a guy who has so many different options with the new ball and the reversing ball and he’s taken so many wickets for England.”
“It’s a blow for us as a squad. Those wickets and the experience he brings are huge. But it gives someone else an opportunity to really stake a claim into next summer and really step up and push for their place — the likes of Jake Ball and Steven Finn,” Bairstow added.
