‘Disappointed’ Joy’s slight technical shift keeps the smile going

Bangladesh opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy exudes a youthful exuberance that lives up to the 'Joy' in his name, even amid the pressure-cooker environment of Test cricket. When he came to the press conference on Thursday after the close of play on Day 3 of the first test against Ireland in Sylhet, he wore that same smile one often sees when he is out in the middle.

Joy had started the day on 169 not out, with a double hundred beckoning, and beyond that, the highest Test score by a Bangladesh batter, a record held by veteran Mushfiqur Rahim. But just nine deliveries into the day, Ireland got their prized scalp, as Barry McCarthy managed to find the edge which carried through to the wicketkeeper.

Joy's 171, however, had already made a significant impact, helping the Tigers secure a commanding 301-run lead.

"Yes, definitely a little disappointed, because it would have been my first double hundred in my life if I could have carried on," Joy admitted .

"Overall, I'm happy because I've returned to the team after quite some time and was able to play a big innings for the team. But yes, a little disappointed that I couldn't carry it through till the end."

Before the Test, Joy had hit two fifties and a century in the National Cricket League (NCL) T20 before adding another ton in the NCL's red-ball format.

"The NCL T20 hundred helped boost my confidence. I performed very well there. Then I also had a good performance in the NCL four-day match. So I'm trying to do the same thing here, carry the innings. I won't do anything different," he said.

He also revealed that he made a small technical adjustment, one that seemed to bring more control and balance to his game.

"I used to have a big shuffle across. Now it's much shorter. That is the only change I made," he explained.

Joy carried that familiar smile as he walked out of the press conference, a smile that seems part of his nature. And Bangladesh would be smiling a lot more if he can carry that confidence forward and solidify his place in the side.