Who should be the next coach? (4 June 1999)

4 June 1999

Who should be the next coach?

Rabeed Imam

Cricket in Bangladesh has never had it so good in terms of prospects. The expectation-belying showings in the World Cup have given fuel to suggestions that we are now ready to embrace the once elusive Test status with open arms. But are we?

News of the famous triumph over Pakistan on May 31 failed to over shadow another very thought provoking if not disturbing development--the sacking of coach Gordon Greenidge.

The unceremonious departure of the West Indies legend was reminiscent of the fate of former Indian Test star Mohindar Amarnath, the previous foreign coach of the national cricketers.

While Amarnath's dumping came as a result of the ill-fated ICC Trophy campaign in 1994, Greenidge's two and a half year tenure saw the biggest achievements in the history of cricket in this country. It only goes to show that being coach of the Bangladesh cricket team is a roller-coaster ride and not everyone's cup of tea.

Coming back to the topic of Test status, it was one of the least favourite subjects of Greenidge. During the World Cup, his frank opinions on the actual state of cricket in this country and why Bangladesh should not get the status, was a bit too naive for comfort of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) hierarchy, and Greenidge was projected as an unholy influence in the team.

Barring a miracle, Gordon Greenidge is history. Now as we prepare to look ahead to a new beginning, the vacant position of the coach remains a matter of great intrigue and concern to genuine well-wishers of cricket.

Unconfirmed reports suggests that the BCB is seriously entertaining the idea of employing a Pakistani coach who will guide the national team to the World Cup in 2003. A few names short-listed by the BCB has also come up. Bangladesh captain Aminul Islam has even gone on record by saying that the team needs someone like Javed Miandad as coach.

BCB president Saber Hossain in a recent interview (June 1) with the BBC Bengali service said, " We are looking for someone who will be sharing our aspirations and will work with a mind to fulfil that target". It seems that the BCB is seeking a "yes man" who will do whatever the board wants him to do!

An unanimous board official complained about the lack of communication between the English speaking Greenidge and the players. This is one of the reasons why the BCB is in favour of a Pakistani who is supposed to understand the characters and communicate with the players better. We have a few questions:

The credibility factor is another extremely important issue. No international cricket side has ever hired a Pakistani coach. Under the circumstances how could the BCB even think of recruiting someone without any proven track record specially after the Greenidge hiccup?

A coach from a sub-continental country, be it Pakistan, India or Sri Lanka, is never a wise solution simply because none of the neighbouring super powers over the past few decades have ever sincerely come forward to help the cause of cricket in Bangladesh. Why should we take a risk?

Before the next coach is appointed, the BCB should get its priorities right. It has to admit that Bangladesh is in no position to claim Test status yet and stop giving the general people lofty ideas of our abilities.

The job of the new coach should centre on forming the nucleus of the World Cup team of 2003. As the national team is not expected to be in a training camp for four years on a trot, the coach's responsibility should be widened. The nurturing of young talents and making them ready for the next level of international cricket, maybe even Test cricket, has to remain planted in the back of the coach's mind.

We feel that whoever becomes the coach should be shown adequate respect and given a free hand in deciding his coaching strategy. Greenidge was never given the freedom, which is a pre-requisite for any civilised working arena.

It is also the duty of the BCB to make the new man feel comfortable in any condition that he finds alien. If required, an interpreter should be appointed for better communication.

What Bangladesh needs is a thorough professional with good adaptability. Perhaps the BCB should shift its focus to Australia, New Zealand, England or even South Africa where the foundation is exemplary.

The selection of national teams is a very delicate issue and there is no better person than the coach to evaluate any aspiring players. A foreign coach, given a substantial say in the selection process, can come up with the most unbiased squad chosen only in terms of performance.

We can go on writing about what should be done and what not to be. But the truth is that too many people with a very little or no cricketing background have occupied the top chairs of the BCB, and as long as they are there, we're afraid there is a slim chance that any part of this article should come to the attention of the policy makers - who are prompt enough to take credit from the hard works of the 15 World Cuppers and the discarded Gordon Greenidge.

And after seeing the destiny of Amarnath and Greenidge, any dignified individual will have a serious second thought of coaching Bangladesh. Given the scenario here who could blame him?

Let us hope that better senses prevail among the 32-member BCB committee. They should think beyond their limited wisdom and involve more people with credentials, preferably former national cricketers before making up their mind. We can only keep our fingers crossed.

Source :: The Daily Star