By David Hemp, Bangladesh’s batting coach, expressed his disappointment on Saturday, March 23, over the team not batting beyond 51 overs in their first innings against Sri Lanka. The match, marking the start of a two-Test series, took place at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Bangladesh’s effort culminated in a mere 188 runs, allowing Sri Lanka a 92-run lead. With Sri Lanka standing at 199-5 in the second innings, their lead extended to 211. Hemp highlighted the team’s aim to limit the visitors to under 250 runs.
“We are obviously disappointed,” he said, following the day’s play at SICS. “Not batting more than 51 overs is frustrating. We did get wickets towards the end but luck wasn’t on our side. They lead by 211. Early wickets tomorrow could set us up for a 250 run chase,” Hemp told reporters.
Hemp Urges Smarter batting from Bangladesh
He pointed out the batters’ tendency to get bogged down at the crease. This happened especially against Sri Lankan pacers, who took full advantage of the situation to secure all 10 wickets. “The three SL seamers bowled impressively, hitting good lengths and challenging the stumps at an angle,” Hemp observed. “Our batters often found themselves stuck or opting to play at deliveries best left alone. We’ll be discussing our approach to their bowling overnight, focusing on both defense and scoring opportunities.”
Hemp dismissed the notion that participation in the DPL and BPL, white-ball tournaments, could excuse the batting performance in the longer format. “It’s about mindset more than anything,” he stated. “Knowing your off-stump, understanding the opposition’s threats, and dealing with them is crucial. The schedule is what it is. We’re playing cricket, regardless of the ball’s color. Our preparation was solid, with good feet movement and decision-making. We need to trust in that preparation. Understanding the game’s format is key, with a focus on batting time while maintaining a scoring mentality,” he concluded.
