I Was In Shock Seeing How Bangaldeshi Fans Support Cricket: Courtney Walsh
Jan 28, 2017 at 3:03 PM
Bowling legend Courtney Walsh, who was roped in by Bangladesh as their new bowling coach until the 2019 World Cup, has said he was utterly shocked to see the way Bangladeshi fans embrace and love their cricket team.
The former West Indies skipper, while speaking to ESPNcricinfo, said:
“I was in shock seeing how the fans in Bangladesh support cricket. I didn’t expect it. I never played in Bangladesh during my career but I played couple of times against them away from home.
“It was a shock to see how they embrace and love their team. There are some very good, knowledgeable supporters who know and understand what’s going on with the team. It is a good shock to have and makes you want to do your best,” he added.
This new role is Walsh’s first major coaching stint in international cricket since retiring in 2001 and it is quite safe to say that very few jobs can be more challenging than this. Bangladesh have made a huge stride in the game but there is still a long way to go before they can challenge the bigger teams on consistent basis. Walsh’s job is even more tougher as the conditions in sub-continent are far from being ideal for pace bowling.
“The head coach had mentioned to me that at home the fast bowlers probably don’t get used a lot. We have to build them up for away tours. I saw this as my first challenge. So that’s one of the things we have been working on,” he said.
“Most of the guys were consistent with their pace. I think they have done work to get physically stronger. What we need to do now is work on the technical part of it – how they think batsmen and conditions out,” he added.
When asked about his experience so far, he said:
“Some of the questions bowlers like Rabbi (Kamrul Islam) has asked me which is tremendous to hear. It shows that they have started to think.”
“I think from what I have picked up, they listen to me and look up to the information I have provided to them. I am happy to help them to keep the team moving forward and for them to understand Test cricket. The character will be growing in time,” he concluded.