Sports Reporter :
Former fast bowler of West Indies National Cricket team Courtney Walsh has been appointed Bowling Coach of Bangladesh National Cricket team. The former legend pace bowler will act as the Bowling Coach of Bangladesh team up to 2019 World Cup Cricket.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed this matter in press release issued on Thursday.
Walsh has performed a variety of roles since retiring from international cricket in 2001 including coaching and talent spotting work, especially with fast bowlers and mentoring teams. He has managed the West Indies Under 19 side, had been a bowling consultant for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League, was a part of the coaching team for the ICC Americas Cricket Combine and more recently, a selector of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). Walsh has reached an agreement with the BCB which is effective from September 1 2016.
The 53-year old Walsh, who is expected to reach Dhaka in the first week of September to take up his new responsibility said he was eagerly awaiting the exciting challenge ahead: “I am thrilled to be joining the BCB as their Specialist Bowling Coach. I am really looking forward to getting started with the group.
“Having watched Bangladesh cricket from afar over the years, they are a seriously talented bunch of players. Chandika Hathurusinghe has done a wonderful job thus far as Head Coach so hopefully I can complement his skills and continue the positive progress.
“I have loved my time working as a selector for the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and I would like to thank them for giving me that opportunity. Obviously the West Indies is my home but the chance to go in a new direction on the coaching front and with such a talented group, was one I couldn’t look past.”
BCB CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said Walsh’s vast experience will be a valuable addition to a growing team: “We are delighted to have Courtney in our ranks. He is a role model to millions and his fast bowling knowledge is second to none.
“Bangladesh cricket at present is going through the best pace bowling phase in our history and Courtney’s involvement I am sure will take it to greater heights.
“I take this opportunity to thank the WICB for its very positive support to the BCB in acquiring the services of Courtney.”
Courtney Walsh bagged 519 wickets playing 132 Test matches. He captured 227 wickets playing 205 One Day International (ODI) matches. He grabbed 1807 wickets playing 429 First Class matches.
Earlier, Gordon Greenidge of West Indies was the Head Coach of Bangladesh National Cricket team. He coached Bangladesh National Cricket team from 1997 to 1999.
Bangladesh registered their best performance in ODI cricket in 2015. The Tigers won a series each against South Africa, Pakistan and India. Bangladesh stormed into the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
