BCB rope in Kalpage for coaching roles

Former Sri Lanka allrounder Ruwan Kalpage has been appointed as Bangladesh's assistant and spin-bowling coach, instead of the fielding -coach role that he was supposedly going to take over.

"I have signed a contract just now," Kalpage told reporters at the BCB headquarters. "The officials have informed me few days back that I am the assistant coach, and I am taking over spin, not the fielding part. My new assignment is national assistant and spin-bowling coach. I think they are trying to get a fielding coach."

BCB director Jalal Yunus said the change was made after Piyal Wijetunge decided against taking up the role. "We decided to appoint him as spin bowling coach after Wijetunge decided to stay home. We are now looking for a fielding coach," he said.

This will be Kalpage's second stint as a coach in Bangladesh, as he had spent two years between March 2008 and April 2010 as head coach of the National Cricket Academy. Kalpage has already worked with several of the current senior players, including Mushfiqur Rahim who was incidentally his first captain. Kalpage, however, expressed his disappointment that his second captain, Naeem Islam, was out of the side.

"I am very happy about some but Naeem Islam is not in the team," he said. "Mushfiqur Rahim was my first captain, after that Naeem. I asked them why he is not in the team, they said he has some bad performance in the A team.

"I am looking forward for people to work hard. I know their talent, and they can come back quickly to the team. They can contribute to Bangladesh cricket, and I am also looking forward to the newer players."

Kalpage was Sri Lanka's acting assistant coach till the Galle Test, but he left on the final day, having already resigned on August 4.