'We have to be prepared for everything': Ireland's Harry Tector eager for Test return in Bangladesh
Ireland’s Harry Tector has recalled pleasant memories from his Test debut in Bangladesh as they prepare for the first of the their two-Test series against the same country on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old was touring Bangladesh with Ireland in April 2023 when he was picked for his Test debut, scoring 50 and 56 in the two innings.
For Tector, the return brings back positive memories of his debut when several Irish players earned their first Test caps together.
Speaking from the team hotel in Sylhet, he said: “We're all certainly looking forward to Test cricket. It's obviously a very rewarding format. I think that's what I enjoy most about it. And I think the feeling you get after winning a Test match is different from any other format because that as a team you've had to play well for a number of days and put in consistent performances back-to-back in tough conditions.
“I’ve fond memories of the last Test in Bangladesh, for sure. I think making my Test debut with so many of the other guys was very exciting. And yeah, I guess scoring runs in that game was nice, but I probably would have liked to have converted one of those 50s into 100 - a big 100 - so we could have got more runs on the board.
“I’ve certainly fond memories of playing in Bangladesh, not just in Test cricket, but in all the other formats as well. I've enjoyed success batting here, so hopefully I can hit the ground running and put in some match-winning contributions this time around.”
Tector also downplayed the quality of the pitches and stated how Ireland have to concentrate on their own game.
He explained: “Everyone seems to have a take on what the pitches will be like in Bangladesh, but I think you can get caught up in that too much. I think it's important as players - and particularly as batters - to just assess conditions on the morning of the game, what it looks like, what it's like overhead.
"Once you're out there reacting to what you think the pitch is doing you that the practice you’ve put in is going to hold you in good stead for whatever the conditions and the bowlers dictate to you.
"I think you have to be prepared for everything. I'm not too concerned with what they produce. I back us to perform on it and, hopefully, out-perform them on those wickets.”
Tector added that the side has no illusions about the difficulty of winning away in the subcontinent, but stressed that belief within the squad remains high.
"I think if you look at it, any team that wins away in Bangladesh has played really, really well,” he continued.
“And so we know it's going to be difficult, but I think everyone's really excited to go out there and we have the confidence in the group to know that if we do the right things - with the bat and the ball and take our catches in the field - that we can produce results in Test cricket.”
Ireland squad: Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, Stephen Doheny, Gavin Hoey, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Liam McCarthy, Paul Stirling, Jordan Neill, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.