Want to make Bangladesh 'a force in all formats around the world' - Helmot

Bangladesh's new High Performance coach Simon Helmot has said that he wants to enrich the talent pool for the senior side, with tournaments like next year's Champions Trophy and the 2019 World Cup in mind. Helmot, who recently served as Sunrisers Hyderabad's assistant coach, will head a training programme that begins at the end of this month and ends in October, ahead of the 2016-17 season.

"We are about developing Bangladesh cricket so we can be a force in all formats around the world," Helmot said. "There are many competitions coming up, like the Champions Trophy. In a few years' time, there is the World Cup, and there are lots of series to be played. But if we can develop the youth and even some of the experienced players to have better depth and a greater talent pool to pick in the national side, then we are going to be in a good place for not only now but for years to come."

The focus this time, according to BCB's national game development manager Nazmul Abedin, will be on providing what the senior team requires and to reduce the gap between players in the HP squad those in the senior side. Helmot will start with a focus on the technical side of the game, and then move on to how to apply that in match situations. BCB are also looking to hire specialist foreign coaches for the programme, as well as organising at least one tour in September to give the players a taste of conditions away from home.

Helmot, who has previously worked with Shakib Al Hasan at Melbourne Renegades and Mustafizur Rahman at Sunrisers Hyderabad, said that age would not be a factor when picking talent.

"The HP programme should make sure there is development, and give players ownership and responsibility and discipline," Helmot said. "Age doesn't matter; people's gifts and their ability can rise at different times. Most importantly, we have to set up a programme which is going to be open to those people we believe have the potential to play for their country."