D/N Test: Bangladesh pacers training with wet balls, says Mehidy
What's the story
India and Bangladesh are set to face each other in their maiden Day-Night Test at the Eden Gardens from November 22 onwards. India have already taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Ahead of the historic Test, Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan said that the pacers are training with the wet ball. Here are further details on the same.
Practise
Teams use available time to train with the pink ball
The first Test match in Indore ended inside three days. This allowed both teams to train with the pink ball on Day 4 and 5 respectively. Teams were seen practising in the twilight zone and under lights in Indore. Bangladeshi slip fielders were seen undergoing catching drills alongside keeper Liton Das. This was a crucial moment for the side getting accustomed to the conditions.
Wet ball
Why Bangladesh pacers are practising with the wet ball?
Mehidy said Bangladesh pacers will keep practising with wet balls. "The pace bowlers will continue to bowl by dipping the ball on water in the coming days," Mehidy said. "I think we can adapt in the coming days. Maybe it will skid a little more when it is wet. Spinners can get to skid the ball. There's also likely to be bounce and turn."
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I think it [pink ball] swings more, says Mehidy
"I batted against the pink ball. It was moving and goes off rapidly after pitching. It goes off the bat quite quickly too. I think it swings more, and you can cut the ball too," he said.
Pink ball
We are still new to the pink ball, claims Mehidy
Mehidy said Bangladesh players are trying to get more experience with the pink ball. "We are still new to the pink ball. We haven't got a lot of time with it but we are trying to cover as much as possible. There'll be an initial struggle, but it will only get better as we go along."
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Mehidy on the visibility of the pink ball
"There's not a lot of problem seeing it while catching and fielding too, but we have to be careful during the match. The seam can be sighted at times, but there are occasions when you can't see it," he said.