Slimmer, fitter they return
Six players did not turn up to attend the first day of the Bangladesh cricket team's conditioning camp that began at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday, ahead of the two-match Test series against Australia.
Everyone though had their reason for being absent. Rony Talukder's wedding reception took place yesterday evening in his hometown of Narayanganj. Interestingly, the 24-year-old right-hander, who tied the knot with Smrity Mondol on July 31 this year, was not keen on ducking the first day of the camp and it was at the insistence of a board official that he took the leave 'to enjoy the occasion fully'.
"The programme is at 7 pm, so I thought that I could still attend the beep test. Every moment is important and fitness is crucial. It is very competitive these days as everyone wants to capitalise on any opportunity," Rony told The Daily Star over phone yesterday, when asked why he was reluctant to take the break.
That probably shows the way the players think nowadays. Another huge change in attitude of the players was reflected by the comments of Mario Villavarayen, who is conducting the fitness camp alongside physio Bayzedul Islam Khan.
When jokingly asked how much weight his charges gained during the three-week break, the Sri Lankan excitedly said, "I was a little worried about their weight, but I was surprised today. Some even lost some. It's fantastic."
And while Villavarayen was already happy, his birthday celebration by the players added more zest on the opening day of the camp.
"Everybody is very conscious about their fitness and that's why they take care of themselves."
Considering the busy schedule of the players over the next six months, Villavarayen said that the coming four-week fitness training would be crucial for them.
"We wanted to see the fitness levels and conditioning of the players in today's test. We have four weeks in hand to work with them and these four weeks are very important because there's a lot of cricket coming in the next six months, not only international, but also domestic.
He also informed that left-handed opener Tamim Iqbal was having some problems in his knee, which is why he didn't take the beep test, only participating in running, while there were also some concerns over off-spinner Shohag Gazi's fitness. He said, "We should understand that he [Gazi] was out of cricket for quite a long time."
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza will join the camp after returning from Singapore on August 26, followed by Shakib Al Hasan, who is vacationing in the USA, the day after. All-rounder Sabbir Rahman and pacer Abul Hasan didn't turn up due to family commitments, while Test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim has been suffering from fever.
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