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New Bangladesh coach sets focus on test cricket. posted under: Bangladesh | All news |
Newly appointed Bangladesh coach Richard Pybus has spoken and various reports state that his main aim right now is to concentrate on the entire team rather than individuals and is looking to improve the team’s rankings in all forms of cricket, starting with tests. He was also quoted saying that he is looking forward to his role as a national team coach.
Bangladesh, who are just a scrape above Zimbabwe in ODI rankings in 9th place, will have a lot of work cut out for them in the future. If they want to get better, they will have to get up and get out there like never before. Looking at how competitive international cricket has become, the boys from Dhaka are in for some serious training and if Pybus does things right, they’ll have a lot of catching up to do. They haven’t even made the top 15 in T20 rankings, dropping below teams like Afghanistan, Scotland and Canada, who have all played more matches than them.
Right now, Bangladesh are at 9th place in the test rankings, having played 18 matches and gaining 135 points with a rating of 8. They are below New Zealand, who have played 28 matches and gained 2366 points with a rating of 85. See the difference? Zimbabwe have not been qualified for the table because they haven’t played enough matches, but still have more points and a rating more than 5 times that of Bangladesh.
Englishman Pybus, who has coached Pakistan’s national team twice in 1999 and 2003 respectively, has been given a 2 year contract with Bangladesh and will be looking to shift things around a bit. In his first official press conference, he was quoted saying: “I think that's usually a contradiction: if you got stars, you don't have a team. The goal is to have a very strong team where the players are playing for each other.”
“It is important to have focus where we leave our egos to one side and playing for the badge, country and making that the commitment. Again, in coaching experience, when you have a star system, you've got problems,” he added.
He said he would definitely like to see his team reach at least mid-table by the time his contract was over.
“First it is to go up the rankings methodically. We have to climb that ladder and there'll be work put into that across the different formats.
“There'll be good strategic long-term planning, so creating enough challenges for the players is important. Even for those on the fringe, we have to create opportunity there. The goal will be going towards mid-table,” he said, though he stopped short of naming teams he would want to slay.
“I don't want to make any big statements because I'm aware of the challenge, and I'm aware of what's happened before,” Pybus was quoted saying.
Keeping in mind the gaps that the Tigers have to endure to play test matches, he said that the 5-day matches were his favored format and that he would be looking to test cricket to build the team.
“With regards to the Test side, it is about getting 20 wickets and being able to set up totals and chase down totals. When I talk about talent, I take it as a given anywhere around the world. It is about maximizing the talent.
He was also quoted adding: “Across all formats, Test cricket is really the tree that grows your players. For me, Test cricket is the jewel in the crown. I am looking forward to playing stronger nations in Tests, that's the bottom line. As we work through the cricketing schedule, we have to make sure that we do everything in our power to be fully prepared.”
BCB Chief Kamal also assured him saying he will be able to work independently and said the BCB would support him in all his endeavors and wished him the best of luck.
Pybus’ first assignment will be the unofficial tri-series in Zimbabwe which involves the hosts and South Africa. This would be a decent enough test and he will want to make a good impression. |
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