Imrul Kayes to take the No.3 spot for the 1st Test against Australia

Bangladesh batsman Imrul Kayes might take up the No.3 position in his team’s upcoming Test series against Australia at home starting next week. Kayes batted at the most number in their recent Test match in Sri Lanka, which was marked to be the 100th Test for the team. The team management has asked the left-hander to prepare for batting at the one-down position for the Test series.

Kayes opened for Bangladesh in 25 Tests out of the 28 Tests he has played so far, all of them with Tamim Iqbal. The left-handed pair has shared 2205 partnership runs with four century stands including the best of 312. However, the 30-year-old is now happy to shift his spot and adjust according to his team’s needs.

“I think it is more difficult to bat at number three than playing as an opener,” Imrul Kayes spoke to media on Tuesday. “But I have to adjust with that. I batted at number three in the last Test match I played in Sri Lanka. I have talked with the coach and he told me to bat at number three. I have been batting in the nets keeping that in mind,” he added.

Kayes’ move to No.3 could hint at the team’s idea to keep Mominul Haque out of the XI for the 1st Test. Mominul came into the 14-man squad less than 24 hours after he was dropped from the team as Mosaddek Hossain developed an eye infection. Speaking about the difference between opening and No.3, Kayes said that he is not used to sitting in the dressing room and waiting for his turn to bat. He also feels that he might be not play the tricky role of seeing the new-ball but at the same time, he could be facing a set bowler when he walks in.

“I become rather excited when I am sitting padded up in the dressing room. Tamim won’t be able to do it and even I have trouble doing it. Once I could not do that, but I have to do it now for the sake of team’s requirement.” said Kayes.

“Tackling the new ball can be tricky but there is an advantage. Sometimes the opening batsmen and bowler don’t know much about each other’s strength. But when you bat at number three, bowlers become cautious and they control their line and length by the time,” he added.