adminSenior Sports Reporter
LESS than a month into his new job as bowling coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team, former Zimbabwe national team captain Heath Streak is already enjoying the task with the Tigers. Streak assumed his post on 2 June after signing a two-year contract with the Bangladesh Cricket Board. He was there in time for India’s tour to Bangladesh which saw the two Asian countries meet in three One-Day International matches. The series was heavily affected by rain with two decided on the Duckworth and Lewis method while the third was completely washed out by the rains.
The former Zimbabwe captain who is back home on a break said it was exciting to see some of the up and coming Bangladesh bowlers in action as they prepare for the 2015 International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
“It was an opportunity for me to see good young bowlers coming through the A team and Under-19s, what I want to achieve with them is consistency performances, create a large pool base of bowlers for Bangladesh cricket as we prepare for the Cricket World Cup,’’ said Streak.
He was particularly impressed with young bowlers like 19-year-old Taskin Ahmed who made his debut in the series against India.
Streak said he has been received well in Bangladesh which has a new technical team headed by former Sri Lankan batsman Chandika Hathurusingha who was appointed head coach last month to replace Shane Jurgensen.
“I was warmly received in Bangladesh as part of the new technical team, because Zimbabwe played Bangladesh a lot during my playing days a lot of the Bangladeshis guys knew who I was,’’ said Streak.
With a tour to the West Indies coming up in August, Streak is going to join the Bangladesh team in camp on 2 August. The Tigers will play the Calypso Kings in two Tests, three ODIs and one Twenty20 International.
It is not going to take time for Streak to be on the opposing side when Bangladesh face off against Zimbabwe in Bangladesh in November, something that is definitely going to feel weird for Streak who has occupied the same role for Zimbabwe before. He, however, takes comfort from the fact that he is not the first Zimbabwean to coach an international side as Andrew Flower, Trevor Penny and Duncan Fletcher are some of the Zimbabweans involved with other national teams while Grant Flower the current Zimbabwe senior national team batting coach could be on his way to join Pakistan in the same capacity when his contract expires.
Online Reporter