Talha Kamal
South African coach Russell Domingo was interviewed by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for the role national team’s head coach on Wednesday. The BCB said they have two more high-profile coaches on their list. From them three, the coach with highest level of experience at international level will be selected as Tigers new mentor. So who are the other two in the list? There are few names in the discussion.
Former South African coach Russell presented his work plan at the Beximco office of BCB president Nazmul Hasan Papon on Wednesday.
However, not only the head coach, Russell is also considering taking over the HP (High Performance) team. If he does not take over as head coach, BCB is considering him for another
position.
BCB’s media committee chairman Jalal Yunus said that they were happy with Russell’s interview. The BCB director also said they have two more people who will be interviewed soon with their work plans.
“This is not the end. There are few more coaches. We'll talk to them too. We have three names on our hands. Two more left. We will choose from among these three.”
Who are the two remaining except Russell? Former Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha is on the verge of being sacked by Sri Lanka board. He has been involved in various controversies in his own country. Despite all this, his name is also on BCB’s shortlist.
According to credible BCB sources, Hathurusingha himself is eager to return as Bangladesh’s head coach.
However, many BCB officials do not want him back. Only a few high-level board directors agree, but Hathurusingha can be interviewed.
The other name which pops up in the list is English coach Paul Farbrace, whom BCB was desperate to get signed after Hathurusingha’s departure but Farbrace decided not to join as Tigers’ coach because of family reasons, so Steve Rhodes was hired as BCB had no choice. Now the 52-year-old is again BCB’s radar.
It is reported that the BCB is having a fresh contact with the English coach.
Forbes has experience working in the subcontinent's culture. He was the one under whom Sri Lanka won the World T20 and Asia Cup. Another person’s name is coming up in the discussion, who also gave up his successful international coaching career for family reasons.
We are talking about, former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson, who is considered as the most successful coach for the Kiwis.
But to make time for his family time, he quit international coaching after the 2015 World Cup. Mike Hesson then served as IPL team Kings XI Punjab’s coach for ten months and yesterday has stepped down as their coach.
Hesson will arrive today to give audition for the role of head coach, said a BCB official yesterday. BCB is more interested in getting this quality high profile coach in charge. However, much depends on whether he will agree to be a full-time coach.
So, whatever the decision maybe, BCB has said it will finalize everything within the next 2-3 days. Bangladesh are likely to play under a new coach against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe during tri-nation series in September.
