Simmons keeps door open on four pacers with Shoriful fit again

Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons has left the door open to fielding four pacers, including a fit again Shoriful Islam, for the second Test against Australia in Mackay, though he stressed no decision had been made ahead of Saturday's match.

Shoriful sent down a fearsome nets spell on Thursday, two days out from the Test, proving his fitness after a side strain ruled him out of the series opener.

Speaking to reporters, Simmons said the left-arm quick's inclusion remained under discussion. "We haven't decided that yet. We'll decide tomorrow," he said.

Asked whether the left-armer's return improved his bowling options, Simmons played down the suggestion.

"We've always had good options available. We always have five pacers in the squad. The other pacers were here. We played three in the previous match and got a big win. We'll decide tomorrow how many we will play," he said.

Simmons acknowledged Shoriful's point of difference but was reluctant to disturb a winning combination after Bangladesh's stunning nine-wicket victory in Darwin.

"He offers something different, but again, we just won a Test match, so I am one who hardly likes to change winning XIs," he said.

"It is a possibility, but I can't really say until we sit down and decide what we want to do."

Spinner Taijul Islam or seamer Ebadot Hossain loom as the likeliest to make way if Bangladesh do opt for a four-pronged pace attack.

Shoriful took a six wicket haul against Australia in an ODI in June and offers extra pace, height and a left-arm angle missing from the trio used in Darwin.

Simmons, who guided Bangladesh to their first Test win over Australia in Darwin, called it the finest Test victory of a coaching career that has also included spells with Ireland, Zimbabwe, West Indies and Afghanistan.

"I've had other formats with big ones but, in Tests, is the best," he said.

The Trinidadian also urged his players to guard against complacency, having warned them in the Darwin dressing room that the job remained only half done.

"Australia is going to come harder. So we have to either keep that level of performance or get a little bit better," Simmons said, adding that the emotional Bangladesh dressing room had since settled.

There were fitness scares elsewhere at training, with opener Tanzid Hasan sitting out batting practice due to a neck issue and Mushfiqur Rahim struck on the finger in the nets, though both are expected to be available.

The Mackay Test begins at 6am Bangladesh time on Saturday.