BCB looking at Kirsten for wide-ranging consultant's role

The BCB has taken a slow and steady approach to appointing Bangladesh's next head coach, according to president Nazmul Hassan. He also said that the board is at an advanced stage of talks with Gary Kirsten for a wide-ranging consultancy role, and days away from signing a new batting consultant for the senior side.

"We are on the back foot, that's for sure," Hassan said. "[Chandika] Hathurusingha's departure has been a blow. You can't just take any coach, but someone who fits our environment and mentality. Bangladesh has reached a level which requires us to be thoughtful about bringing a quality coach. Not much chance of a trial and error; we cannot change much in our team. We are not in any hurry."

Kirsten was among the big-name coaching candidates linked to the head-coach's role as well, but Hassan said that they are in talks with him about a more short-term role as he has two other coaching contracts in the IPL - he is likely to link up with Royal Challengers Bangalore - and the Big Bash League.

"We were talking to Gary Kirsten for a consultant's role. He would help us figure out what coach to hire for our national team, high-performance side and the Under-19s. He is booked up to February, in the Big Bash. He is involved with the IPL and Big Bash, which is why he is not interested to be the head coach.

"If we permitted him to work in those leagues, then he may have agreed with us. But we can't let our head coach go like that, which is what we have decided."

Hassan said that they are closing in on the deal with Kirsten. "He is available in the time outside his other roles. At this point, both sides are interested in the [consultancy] role. He will have an overall role in the development of Bangladesh cricket. It might be for six months, but it is hard to pinpoint these things without talking to him first. He is probably coming after February."

Hassan said that the new batting consultant appointment could be made as early as this week. Another former South Africa batsman in Neil McKenzie is reportedly a front-runner in the role, although the BCB was previously in talks with Grant Flower and Hashan Tillakaratne as well.

"We are very close to announcing someone as a batting consultant. We wanted someone full-time but the person we've chosen is of a higher level. He said we don't need a full-time batting consultant. He has said he will be here ahead of every series and when there are long breaks," Hassan said, without revealing the name.