Coaches are more like 'father figures' – Walsh

Courtney Walsh, filling in as Bangladesh’s head coach on an interim basis, feels the role itself is that of a father figure and is eager to take on the challenge which begins with the Nidahas T20 tri-series on March 6.

Since Chandika Hathurusingha’s resignation in October, the BCB had been making do by sharing the head coach’s responsibilities between the senior players, the assistant coach Richard Halsall and technical director Khaled Mahmud. But that backfired on them when Sri Lanka beat the team in all three formats recently.

With the board yet to appoint a full-time coach, Walsh, the senior-most figure in the team’s support staff, was asked to take over on a temporary basis. “It is an interim role. We were without a head coach for the last couple of series. I was asked to do the job. It wasn’t something that needed a long discussion. I am here. I want to try to do the best for Bangladesh cricket, try to get us to be more consistent.”

Walsh said one of his first tasks would be nurse players out of nick – like Sabbir Rahman and Taskin Ahmed – back to their best. “[The role] is going to be like a father figure, to give them the confidence. We must make sure everybody is prepared for the extra work that we need to do to get those out of form, into good form. We have to get everybody thinking that they have to play a role for the team, so that everyone plays for the team and do what is required. It is going to be my motto.”

The challenge of steering Bangladesh in Sri Lanka next month was, according to Walsh, the sort of thing he was prepared for now that he has been the team’s fast bowling coach for 18 months. “We have a very testing tour coming up in Sri Lanka. As one who likes to accept challenges, it is important to play quality and consistent cricket. I am happy to be given the opportunity to do so. I will give it the best shot and ensure we play good positive cricket.”

Bangladesh have won only one out of their last nine T20Is since January last year. In the recent series against Sri Lanka, they batted well in one game but the bowling struggled as a group in both outings.

“We are lacking a bit of consistency,” Walsh said. “The talent is here. The guys have good work rate. If we can get consistent, we will be happy. It is going to be the biggest challenge, and it is something that I will be stressing on, a lot.”

Source: ESPN Crickinfo