BCB brings in split coaching; hands T20I side to Sriram

Bangladesh Cricket Board has introduced split coaching in the national set-up with their decision to keep current head coach Russell Domingo in charge of Test and ODI side, while the T20I planning will be done by the newly-appointed technical director Sridharan Sriram.

Cricbuzz had earlier reported that BCB is planning to introduce split coaching and BCB chief Nazmul Hassan made it official after sitting with the members of the coaching panel at the board headquarters on Monday (August 22).

"There is no head coach in the T20Is in Asia Cup. We have our batting coach, fielding coach, spin bowling coach and pace bowling coach while we have a captain. Along with that we have a technical consultant who will give the game plan. And in that case, what will the head coach do? So, he does not have any work," Nazmul told reporters at Mirpur on Monday.

"Till now, officially, Domingo is our head coach and he could have been sent in for the T20Is (Asia Cup)... Someone who has been asked to do the game plan can't do it freely in the presence of a head coach since he will also have his opinion. So we don't want to create any confusion and that is the reason he is not being sent with the T20 team. And until World Cup it will be the same setup. We want to separate it and see what happens," he added.

"His (Domingo) contract is up to November 2023. Domingo won't be part of the T20 setup [going forward]. Russell Domingo will be in charge of Test and ODIs, but not in T20Is. We sat with Domingo and asked what he wants to do with the ODI and Test side. He will give an extensive planning in three weeks.

"He wants to see the NCL (National Cricket League, traditional first-class tournament) and "A" team games and want to find out future stars. We want to see how we can develop cricketers outside the national team and for that we need separate the support staff.

The move to give Test and ODI responsibility to Domingo was quite surprising considering the fact in the modern day split coaching suggests separate coaches for white-ball and red-ball.

"We can even have separate captains for red-ball cricket and white ball cricket but for that we need separate teams and for that we need separate coaching staff but until we get separate teams we are not prepared for it (different coaching set-up for red-ball and white-ball cricket)."

Domingo echoed board's sentiment, and said that with the amount of international cricket being played around, split coaching is the way going forward.

"It's difficult to say but may be that is the way going forward," Domingo said, standing beside Nazmul as he announced the split coaching era in Bangladesh cricket.

"I think it's a great idea. It gives me nice focus on the Test match and 50-overs stuff. We have had some great results, and bad results in T20s. I don't think it is a bad idea to make a fresh approach in T20s. I am very open-minded about it. It is not my team. It is not about me. I am all for making the team better. It gives me nice clarity with the 50-over World Cup coming. We know there's a lot of work with the Test team. It also gives me some time to spend with the family. I was home for five weeks last year. Family life is important for me. It is very difficult to sustain. To come to tournaments fresh, to come in good attitude." Domingo noted.

Domingo though said he doesn't agree with team director Khaled Mahmud that his coaching philosophy doesn't suit T20 cricket. "Everyone has their opinion. I know my philosophy. I know my coaching style. I don't have too much of a comment on it."

Domingo, who will leave for South Africa on Tuesday, added that he needed a break.

"Absolutely (need a break). My time is South Africa has taught me that, mental freshness is a big thing for players and the staff. It was something that wasn't considered here in the past. These players play a lot of cricket, more than when I was coach of SA. Mental fatigue can cause dip in performances. We need to have a bigger group of players, so that we can rest certain players.

"I have had a lot of cricket and touring. We have more games added next year. It is the practice, preparation and traveling that also goes into the whole thing.

"I will visit the A tour in Dubai. A lot of our Test players will play there. Tamim, Mominul, Shanto and Rabbi haven't played for a while so that'll be a great opportunity. I will spend time watching NCL from mid-November. Those are part of my plan."

Domingo also stated that he will chalk out new plans too considering the BCB is also planning to include current batting coach Jamie Siddons in development project.

"There's a little bit of time before the Tests and ODIs. I think there's a possible reshuffle. Jamie is talking about maybe being involved in the development. It gives me a bit of time to think about the coaching staff going forward. I have ideas about who I like to have as a batting coach. When he is not available, Jamie can step in. There's a lot of things I need to think about in the next few months. I really think Bangladesh has a good chance in the 50-over World Cup. The team is playing well. We have a good group of players," he concluded.

Source: Cricbuzz