Walshs presence to inspire local pacers
Mahmud urges BCB to utilise his service for young fast bowlers
Sports Reporter, Cox’s Bazar
As Courtney Walshs inclusion in Bangladesh team set up has brought up joyous mood, given his high profile image, there is slight confusion because of his inexperience in coaching job with any national team.
The record wicket-taker for West Indies with 519 wickets to his name, Walsh, also a great fast bowler of Caribbeans golden period though wasnt new in coaching role. He has managed the West Indies Under 19 side, had been a bowling consultant for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League and was a part of the coaching team for the ICC Americas Cricket Combine. His coaching experience was limited to this after he has retired from the game in 2001 as the then leading wicket-taker in Tests.
Before reaching an agreement with the BCB which is effective from September 1, 2016 and runs up to the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England, Walsh more recently was a selector of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
However his vast experience as a bowler and success in all part of the part world will put a shed on the experience issue, believed the BCB board director Khaled Mahmud Sujon.
Also a former national captain and a pace bowler, Sujon said because of his stature, he can make difference as everybody within the team is bound to respect what he earned during his playing career.
I dont think his experience in this job will be a problem at all because he has the vast experience as a player and cricketers around the world, specially the fast bowlers idolize him, respect him, Sujon said in Coxs Bazar where he is playing the Masters Cricket Carnival, a tournament organised by the former cricket stars.
His high profile image is a boost for our fast bowlers as they will inspire more because of his presence in the dressing room. Sharing time, talking to him indeed is a delighting experience for the bowlers as well, a visibly excited Mahmud pointed out.
In a career spanning over 17 years, Walsh played 132 Tests and 205 ODIs almost uninterruptedly. His fitness and perseverance are also the things to be noted.
Walsh would take over a settled fast bowling unit which was built up by the Heath Streak. Mahmud thought under Walshs guidance the fast bowlers would be more potent and a cohesive unit.
As I mentioned earlier, he has the long playing career and vast experience as a bowler. He played all part of the world and reaped success in everywhere. He has earnest dedication to the game and so the players will be motivated getting him around them.
At this stage motivation is a great factor to do well. The national bowlers know the basic things so they need someone who can guide them through the torrid period, they need someone who can give them a lesion which type of bowling is needed according to the condition. In this aspect, Walsh is a great choice.
Recalling the stint of another West Indian great Andy Roberts with Bangladesh team, Mahmud said this type of great bowlers could easily identify the talents.
When Roberts worked with Bangladesh team in early 2000, he picked up Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Talha Jubair as the future prospect of Bangladesh. He said they have the talent so you should nurse them. And he was right. Injury caused the damage of Talhas career but Mashrafe braved the injury to play cricket still. I think Walsh also could leave such impact. He has that ability.
Mahmud said he is really excited with the inclusion of Walsh in the national set up. Gordon Greenidge was the most high profile amongst coaches worked in Bangladesh. Walsh has more reputation than him. If we can take properly from him, it will be great for us. He is called silent killer because he has such a run-up that no sound was understood while he was running to bowl. He is the greatest to sort out the problems of the bowlers.
Mahmud also wants the BCB to utilize him in aged level team and High Performance Unit. The youngsters will learn a lot from him. More importantly his presence will delight and inspire them to be bowler like him.
