Bangladesh's new bowling coach Courtney Walsh was an eagerly awaited figure in Dhaka this week, so much so that 30-odd journalists showed up at the airport on Saturday night just for a glimpse of the bowling giant.
When he came to the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday afternoon, it showed that he hardly lost his elegance. Flanked by Bangladesh Cricket Board CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury and media manager Rabeed Imam, Walsh was clad in a biscuit-coloured suit.
The 53-year old spoke calmly and after completing the 15-minute question-and-answer session, he went to the BCB president's personal office in Dhanmondi.
Here are the excerpts of the press conference below:About BCB's offer“It was something that I had to think twice about. I remember when (BCB CEO) Nizam got in touch with me and said they were interested, I said let me think about it. We went back and forth but when he said you are our No 1 target, that was something that I gave it a serious consideration. It showed that they wanted take the cricket to another level.
“We started the chat from there and I am here. I want to thank Nizam for letting me know that I was their No 1 target. He said the president wanted to ensure that I was here. I arrived here last night to do the best I can for Bangladesh cricket working with the head coach (Chandika Hathurusingha). Together we can achieve some good success for Bangladesh cricket.”About his plans with Bangladeshi fast bowlers“I will first try to get to know the individuals as best as I can. I will also be imparting my knowledge to them. Finding out how they want to improve their game, and know their aim and objective. I will try to encourage that it is a two-way street. We can practice different skill-sets and levels of commitment. At the end of the day, what excites me is what the team benefits from.”About current Bangladeshi fast bowlersI am very excited with some of the young Bangladeshi fast bowlers. They have improved, and if I can help them a little bit more, that's the key. I will be happy if the team is benefiting from their improvement. I will strive for consistency and hard work.”His message to the Bangladeshi players“One thing that I want to pass on to the Bangladeshi guys is that you have to be strong and be prepared for hard work, maintain consistency. If we can work hand in hand with those two, we will be headed in the right path. It won't happen overnight. We have to put in some ground work. Once we get the basics right, you will see a lot of improvement and consistency.”His role as mentor“I don't see myself too much as a coach as I see myself as a mentor. I have always been involved in cricket be it in Gloucestershire, Jamaica or the West Indies. I have always tried to get couple of fast bowlers under my wing to mentor. Curtly Ambrose was one of them. So if I can get a second Ambrose from Bangladesh, I will be happy. When he came into the team, he looked up to me. We formed one of the best striking partnerships in world cricket. If I can pass that to any two Bangladeshi fast bowlers, I will be very happy. I will work with them as a coach, and also as father figure and mentor. I can help them relive some of the situations they might find themselves into. A player can sometimes help you get out of it. I remember Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding and Joel Garner. When I just started, that's what they did for me. I hope to pass that on to the Bangladesh team.”On Greenidge“I didn't get a chance to speak to Gordon because I actually went away to play a game for Sir Garry. He was in England. We have spoken by media but not personally. But beforehand, I used to quiz him about Bangladesh and he was happy to be a part of this. That would help me as well. I am trying to speak to him. I am hoping that next time I speak to him, he will be happy with the state of Bangladesh cricket and the direction it is headed.”
Thursday, April 25, 2024
