BANGLADESH COACH HUNT

Gary Kirsten to help recruit new Bangladesh head coach

by Atif Azam • Last updated on

Kirsten is expected to arrive in Bangladesh sometime between May 20 to May 22 © Getty

Former India and South Africa coach Gary Kirsten will spearhead Bangladesh's efforts of finding a new head coach by interviewing interested candidates. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief Nazmul Hasan said on Monday (May 14) that they are expecting Kirsten to arrive sometime between May 20 to May 22 in Bangladesh and kick-start the process.

"Kirsten is working out with few probable [head coach] candidates and trying to find out a suitable one that would serve our purpose," Hasan told reporters. "He is interviewing the players and coaching staff to know what kind of coach we need and also talking with us [about the development],'' he said.

"He will give his proposal and also will come up with a presentation after having a look at the list of coaches. Later, we will finalise who we believe will be better for us,'' he added.

Bangladesh have been without a full-time coach since the departure of Chandika Hathurusinghe. BCB are also said to have three coaches on their shortlist.

"All the three coaches that are included in our shortlist are willing to work full time and now we need to decide whom to pick eventually," said Hasan. "We can pick the coach by ourselves but as we have the opportunity of getting an expert opinion, we are willing to include Kirsten. Basically he wants to know what kind of coaches we need for national team and academy while what kind of professionals will serve our purpose as head coach," he added.

BCB are also said to be interested in hiring Kirsten as a consultant and are waiting for his confirmation as he is currently busy with the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). They want him to take a role similar to what Eddie Barlow did in 1999.

The 50-year-old has previously coached India and South Africa and has taken both the sides to the pinnacle of Test rankings - India in 2009 and South Africa in 2012. He is also the current head coach of Big Bash League (BBL) team Hobart Hurricanes and batting coach for RCB.

Barlow was appointed as the head coach and director of development but BCB are looking at Kirsten only for the latter role. BCB hinted that the consultant post will not hamper Kirsten's current assignments with the T20 franchises as he will be present as per his convenience to fill the advisory role.

When he is away, a team management group, one that is yet to be formed, could follow his guidelines and execute plans, while also making Kirsten's work easier.

When asked whether Kirsten will be signing on during his upcoming visit, Hasan said that he had already started his work.

"He will not travel to India," said Hasan referring to Bangladesh's three-match Twenty20 series against Afghanistan in Dehradun from the first week of June. "[But] he had already began his stint [as far as we are concerned]."

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