‘Trust in defence’ sees Joy’s resilience flourish

‘trust in defence’ sees joy’s resilience flourish0

Bangladesh opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy has seen highs and lows not typically seen in international cricket. There were highs and lows today against the Kiwis in the first Test, following a team-high 86 that saw him lose out on a tonne, but his resilience has seen the game in balance after Day One in Sylhet. 

Joy’s Test debut against Pakistan in 2021 did not represent him as a stoic character, but he would soon demonstrate admirable Test mettle against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui at the turn of the year. The Tigers were without several of their regular Test players during that tour, but Joy’s perseverance laid the groundwork for Bangladesh’s best triumph, and perhaps their most convincing one against a top team, away from home.

Joy played out the new ball that was spinning about at Mount Maunganui, surviving the wrath of New Zealand’s speed attack to stay at the crease for nearly five hours. During his 78 deliveries to lay the groundwork, he would face 228 deliveries. Joy’s strength was his resilience as a workmanlike opener.

An incredible 137 against South Africa in Durban, becoming the first Bangladesh batter to hit a Test tonne in South Africa, demonstrated that he has the potential to go far.

In his next eight innings, he averaged slightly over 14 pitches and had five strikeouts. Technical tweaks are still needed, but his resilience was on display against New Zealand today in Sylhet in the opening of two Test series.

Given that it was the first day of the first Test, the batting conditions were favourable, and they may have been the finest in the game. When Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson started with the new ball, Joy stood firm.

With that amount of outswing going on, Joy demonstrated the ability to play it late, without getting squared up to fuller-length Southee deliveries. His pursuit of simplicity, on the other hand, was not something his other batters had in mind. Wickets were thrown, although Bangladesh was well ahead during Joy’s knock. Joy was upset not to get his second Test tonne, having missed others in his brief career.

“Certainly (disappointing), because you see, I had the opportunity to play a big innings but sadly missed it [the tonne].” As an opener, you don’t often get the chance to get set and score big, but it came tonight and I missed it. “Everyone got set, but no one could build up innings, which we regret,” Joy remarked at the post-game press conference.

Following the duo’s 88-run third-wicket stand, New Zealand made a fantastic opening near the close of the second session, scooping up both Mominul Haque (37) and Joy. Bangladesh went from 180 for 2 to 310 for 9 at the close of play thanks to the double breakthrough.

Joy stayed for 166 deliveries before stealing an Ish Sodhi delivery for the slip fielder.

“The wicket is not as easy as it looks because the ball turns at the right time and the quality spinners that we have, if they bowl well, we can bowl them out for a small total,” he added of the Tigers’ batting difficulties. “The wicket is slow and we are giving priority to our spinners and if the spinners bowl well we will do better.”

Despite missing out on a lot, Joy persisted because he believed in his strategy and defence. It wasn’t just defence, but also knowing when to attack and absorb Test match pressure. Despite skipping one off Jamieson in the 36th over, which fell just yards short from a jumping Sodhi, it was a hopeless innings.

When asked how difficult it was to throw away strong beginnings given the type of strokes most other Bangladesh batters used, Joy answered that players’ natural style varies, but trust in defence lets one to play under pressure.

“It wasn’t that difficult because if you trust your defence, it’s easy, but everyone has a different strategy, like Shanto bhai was playing his natural game and I was playing mine.” Sohan bhai was also playing his natural game, thus everyone has a different strategy.

“Survival is not difficult. “You can survive on any wicket if you trust your defence,” he said.

While some might be disappointed that they did not capitalise, Joy’s displeasure would be in simply not playing a bigger knock, something he would want to focus on in his next opportunity.

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