'We've taken quite big strides' - Streak

Bangladesh bowling coach Heath Streak believes the team still has a "long way to go" before becoming a force in Test cricket despite recent success in one-day internationals. Former Zimbabwe captain Streak, who joined the Bangladesh set-up a little over a year ago, is currently in India with the A side for a series of one-day games and two three-day matches.

"I think realistically Bangladesh still has a long way to go in the Test format," Streak told ESPNcricinfo in Bangalore. "But I think we've taken quite big strides. The confidence we've taken from winning in the one-day arena has spilled over into our Test team. Having said that we've still a long way to go."

Over the last year, Bangladesh have won all but five of their 20 ODIs, the best win-loss ratio after Australia for all international teams. Much of that success has come at home but Streak believes similar results can be achieved overseas if the side gets more opportunities to travel.

"The only way we're going to get better at this is by exposing ourselves outside of Bangladesh," he said. "That's definitely something the BCB are trying to do. And tours like this where we come to play India A in India is a good opportunity for people to develop outside of Bangladesh conditions."

The stand-out aspect of Bangladesh's recent success has been the emergence of a crop of exciting young fast bowlers. Streak, who took 216 Test and 239 ODI wickets over his career, has played a critical role in the development of bowlers such as Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed and Rubel Hossain.

"For me the simple thing was that the talent was there and so it was really taking that and turning it into results," he says. "When I looked at the bowlers I'd be working with, a lot of them had shown glimpses of being able to perform at international level but never consistently. So I had to try and delve into why this was and really work on them being able to execute their skills under pressure.

"Mustafizur was a really good find for us. Rubel Hossain is also fantastic; he's got awesome pace. Taskin has some raw pace and is very different as well with a bit of height - he's also hungry for success and he's definitely one who will develop in the future.

"And Mashrafe [Mortaza] has obviously got a wealth of experience. He's not as quick as he used to be but he's one of the most tactful bowlers. He's also led the team really well as a bowling captain. So we've got a good balance in terms of the mix of our fast bowling attack and there's some good young guys coming through the system."

Another facet of Bangladesh cricket that has impressed Streak is the work the BCB has put into its domestic and under-19 structure. He believes the results of those efforts are already showing.

"I'm very lucky to have a good talented group of guys who are hungry for knowledge and want to play well for their country. For me it's been quite exciting and rewarding being able to see some of that talent turning into more consistent results."