BCB-Greenidge gap widens (30 May 1999)

30 May 1999

BCB-Greenidge gap widens

Nizamuddin Ahmed in England

LONDON, May 29: Just when almost everyone, including British journalists, was considering our bowlers a threat, they let the cat out of the bag and allowed themselves to be pulverised. Had it been true Tom Moody would have been the most flattered among the batsmen Bangladesh faced so far.

Although wickets fell at Chester-le-Street at a rate slower that that against Scotland and New Zealand, two batsmen were able to stand up to the challenges of facing the Wizards of Oz. Mehrab and Minhazul did well to put Bangla's pioneering steps on firm ground. At lunch, it was a case of settling down to watch Waugh and brother, and nine other big guys overtake the Bangladesh score.

Decent they were not, as they used only five men, thanks to strokes of lightning from Khaled Masud behind stumps and a bit of sorcery from Enamul Hoque. The Australians, particularly Mark and Moody were in a marauding mood. But juicy apples delivered wide and short of the wicket deserve to be spanked, and the Bangladesh bowlers were duly obliged.

Effectively without a coach for much of the tour, former national spinner Tanveer Muzhar Islam as manager and former national footballer-turned-cricket organiser Dewan Shafiul Arefin as the team's co-ordinator are trying to instil as much vivacity as possible into a team that has not done all too bad.

Before the final group match against Pakistan on May 31, the sermons from the two must include 'maintain your line and length, try bowling full pitch' and other predictable stuff. Not that our players have not heard that and more before, the coach's imputation was they were more often than not failing to apply the education.

Cynics will say that any SSC candidate can acquire cricket enlightenment through books, television and watching. But you require grey-haired mortals with mind, soul, heart and spirit to compel others to apply that knowledge.

That is the difference between a good student and a good teacher. And who said they were one and the same? Coaches are paid for that essential difference.

Just as an analogy, because football is so overpowering here, players of several other teams in the English Premier Division will measure up to Manchester United. Since the Red Army clinched the 'treble', League, FA and European, calls are mounting to honour manager Alex Fergusen with the OBE.

Because he has made the difference with his remarkable ability to imbue in the players the urge to achieve. That is application. That is the hallmark of a quality coach.

It is circulating in Lord's that the report of the three-man ICC appraisal committee is not fully in favour of granting Test status to Bangladesh now.

Fair enough, as one can not beg for such status. But, insiders say the ICC denial was largely swayed by the negative observation of Bangladesh coach West Indian Gordon Greenidge. His outburst at the press conference after the

Scotland victory would only lend credence to the yet unconfirmed claim. This much, however, is evident that Gordon Greenidge did not wish to toe the official BCB line with regard to seeking Test status for Bangladesh.

Gordon Greenidge is now on voluntary LPR, leave prior to replacement. His farewell letter may be handed over to him tomorrow, according to a senior BCB official.

Source :: The Daily Star