Reaching WTC final is a huge motivation for us: Simmons

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons insisted that the cricketers are highly charged up to win the upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies as it would help them to make a giant stride toward the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

Bangladesh are currently fourth in the WTC standing while West Indies are in eighth place. Najmul Hossain Shanto-led Bangladesh have six matches remaining including the two Tests against West Indies in this cycle and they need to win at least four and draw one to secure a place in the WTC final.

The West Indies series will be followed by an away assignment against South Africa, before concluding their campaign against England at home next year. The first of two-match series against West Indies starts on Wednesday with Bangladesh giving the final touch of their preparation.

“I think everyone is very focused on the Test match. I think there’s that goal and that desire to play in the World Test Championship final and this is the first time we’ve had that opportunity to be there and I think everyone is going to be up and ready for the Test matches,” Simmons said here today.

Simmons didn’t get his whole Test squad for a longer period to prepare for the series as some of the players were busy playing tri-nation series in UAE. Despite that fact he feels the preparation has been good because the players had remained active in competitive cricket.

“We didn’t get the whole team because we were in the middle of a series. We were in the middle of a tri-nation series and it just so happens that quite a few of our players who play in both ODI and Test cricket were involved,” he added.

“So no, it’s not the total ideal situation but the guys weren’t sitting down as they were playing cricket. So there’s still a lot there and it’s just for these two days for us to put things together as a whole squad.”

Simmons said the players had shown the right kind of attitude during the final two days of the practice.

“We were playing somewhere and it important too. But the thing is how we go about our business (for Test series), our preparation for the series,” he said.

“And I think that the group that was here have been excellent in the last three or four days. They’ve been doing their work and now the whole team joins together. It’s what we do over the next two days. It’s not what’s happening outside, it’s what we do as a team to prepare,.”

Simmons also hoped that Liton Das would be available for the opening Test to bolster the side further, despite lingering doubts over his fitness.

“As far as I know, Liton is available. Over the next two days, if things change, I’ll let you all know, but right now he’s available,” he said.

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