Loye keen to shape Bangladesh's next generation

BCB's High Performance coach Mal Loye wants to keep the message simple in his first international coaching stint. Having arrived in Dhaka earlier this week, Loye has started work to prepare the next batch of senior cricketers for the Bangladesh side after being appointed head coach of the new programme which began this month.

"I spoke to the players yesterday (Monday)," Loye told ESPNcricinfo. "It is just a great opportunity, firstly, to play at the top level and play for your country. I always keep it as simple as that. Give your 100% and never take anything for granted.

"I am very excited about working with very talented players who are hopefully the next generation of Bangladesh cricketers. I bring in 20 years of experience of playing around the world. I am a highly qualified experienced coach. When I toured overseas, I spent many winters in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. This is my first international job so I am going to get cracking now."

It's early days in Bangladesh for Loye, who has a level four coaching qualification and has worked as a coach in England and South Africa after finishing his playing career in 2011. He joined the HP programme earlier this week and will be assessing the 22-member squad in a series of matches, likely to be held in Chittagong.

The group of players will also include Bangladesh's ODI specialists who are preparing for the ODI series against India. They will play two-day, one-day and T20 matches.

Loye will be working together with the director of coaching, Paul Terry, and Stuart Karpinnen, HP's general manager, as well as local coaches Sarwar Imran (fast bowling), Zafrul Ehsan (batting), Wahidul Gani (spin bowling) and Golam Mortuza (wicketkeeping). Loye said that accountability is ever-present at this level of cricket, and he will have a hands-on role in the scheme of things.

"There is always expectation and accountability at this level. Paul Terry is an experienced coach, there's also Stuart Karpinnen. I have to put together a programme to produce those cricketers over the next couple of years. It is early days now, so I am still learning about the players and fellow coaches.

"Paul Terry puts together the programme. I am the head coach so I am the hands-on coach," Loye said. "I am in the outfield (laughs). There are local coaches with local and technical knowledge. It is the case of us all working together and getting the most out of the players."

He said he would be keen to train players so that they are ready for different conditions around the world, but at the same time, let the players display their individual skills.

"I think it is a mix of both (fitting into each other's environment). You have to get the balance right of my ideas and the players' individual skill," he said. "It is about changes and assisting and evolving as players. I have got knowledge of playing overseas so I will try to instill them and prepare them to play in England, New Zealand and South Africa. Bangladesh plays all around the world now, so they have to be prepared that way."

Loye was an aggressive opening batsman during his playing days and was known for his use of sweep shot against fast bowlers. He did it in his short international career against bowlers like Glenn McGrath. But he says he was a traditionalist at heart and understands that good technique is important, regardless of the format.

"Believe it or not, I am actually quite a traditionalist," he said. "I know I was renowned for that shot. Growing up I always wanted to be a Test cricketer. I have a pretty decent first-class record. I have played 20-odd years. If you have the technical side of your game right first and then (it is about) how you express yourself in the other formats of the game.

"Doing it the other way around, it is very difficult - if you are a specialist T20 player and then want to be a Test cricketer. If you got ability and talent, there is no reason why you can't adjust in all formats of the game," he said.