Ireland must lay down Test markers - Tector

Tector scored 56 and 50 in his two innings when making his Test debut in Bangladesh back in 2023

Ireland's Harry Tector has urged his team-mates to "keep putting down markers" as they prepare for the first of the their two-Test series against Bangladesh on Tuesday (03:30 GMT).

Tector made his Test debut when Ireland toured Bangladesh in 2023, scoring 50 and 56 over two innings as his side fell to a seven-wicket defeat.

Since then, Ireland have made strides in cricket's traditional format, winning their last three Test matches that have included home and away victories over Zimbabwe.

This will be just Ireland's second multi-Test series and first since a 2-0 loss in Sri Lanka in 2023, with Tector saying the team is "under no illusions" on the challenges they will face.

"Coming off three Test wins in a row, we just need to keep putting markers down to know that we're competing and performing at the highest level of cricket," the 25-year-old said.

"I think everyone is under no illusions of how hard this series is going to be against Bangladesh in their own conditions.

"I think if you look at it, any team that wins away in Bangladesh has played really, really well.

"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."

'I back us to perform regardless of conditions'

Leinster's Tector has fond memories of his Test debut in 2023 but is also aware of the quality of the Bangladesh spin bowlers.

However, he is unconcerned about the quality of the pitches and insists Ireland must have the confidence to play their own game.

"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," he added.

"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."

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.