Pacers enjoying conditions, but rain threat looms

Bangladesh are gearing up for the second ODI against Ireland in Chelmsford today after the first ODI was abandoned due to inclement weather and while rain remains a concern, the conditions allow the new ball to move quite a bit and provide extra bounce on the surface. Even if it proves difficult for the top-order, pacer Shoriful Islam was enjoying the experience and the challenge. 

Since playing against Zimbabwe in August last year, Shoriful did not play an ODI until the first game in Chelmsford. He said he was enjoying his return and the conditions on offer.
"It's a big thing to make the eleven after a long time. Mustafizur bhai has been rested to rotate all the fast bowlers. So it was a good opportunity for me," he told travelling reporters yesterday.

The pacer used his height to advantage, troubling batters with extra bounce in the first ODI. "All fast bowlers want these kinds of conditions. We are feeling very good. We bowled with the new ball in the last match and the rain came before the ball got old. There is good swing, extra bounce and movement," he said.

Shoriful added that he was enjoying competing with the rest of the pacers.

"The better the competition, the better it is for us and the country. You enjoy yourself when there is competition even if there is pressure," he said.

"I'm working on swing. If pace and swing are okay, it will bring good results," he added about what he was focusing on.

The pacer also conceded that there was not much to do about the rain. Conditions have been rainy and while conditions were sunny in the morning yesterday, there was some rain later.

More importantly, there is a chance of showers from 11:00am local time today.

Locals were hoping that slightly windy conditions would help keep the rain clouds away as Bangladesh's batters look to rectify mistakes made in the first ODI. Even Shoriful, who struck 16, was looking to make small contributions with the bat, suggesting the team would look to get the basics right in order to win.