Ahead of their series against the West Indies, Bangladesh fielding coach, Ryan Cook, believes his side is ready to go following their warm-up matches.
Cook, in an interview with the media recently said, “They’ve had a few warm-up games and stuff like that with the 50 overs and T20s. I was there for the T20 and it was really some impressive fielding that the guys did so everyone should be in pretty good shape, everyone should be fresh and ready to go.”
The South African pointed out that the team is gradually moving back into playing competitively following an extended break and the Bangabandhu T20 Cup.
“The guys are getting back from a break after the T20 competition so it’s just getting the guys into it slowly, focusing on their movement patterns and very much their basics, trying to get their arms into it, obviously from a long time not throwing you can get rusty and pick up an injury so it’s just getting the guys going and raising the intensity as the series gets closer,” Cook pointed out.
This is the first international assignment for the ‘Tigers’ since Zimbabwe toured back 10 months ago.
According to the former head of the Gary Kirsten High Performance Centre, the fielding aspect of any game is equally as important in value as in the Test match arena.
Cook declared:“I think it [fielding] makes a massive difference to any game, red ball or white ball. Obviously in the One-Day and T20s everything becomes more amplified in the field but it doesn’t make it any less important than in the test matches…I think it’s obviously important from all aspect of the game. You know in One-Day cricket you get tested for all things, you get your catching, your throwing, your ground fielding which is most of the time under pressure throughout the whole 50 overs so I am looking forward to the challenge of that and I am sure the guys will be up for it.”
The coach said that he was impressed so far with the work ethic of the squad, highlighting their passion and attitude as some of the aspects of the game that have made it easier for the team to develop.
“I think a lot of the guys have great attitude now, they’re really trying hard on their fielding, their asking for extra work, putting in a lot of extra effort and energy, I like that. A lot of work still has to be done on their technique, catching especially, and some ground fielding but generally, their throwing arm is pretty good so hopefully, the enthusiasm they’ve got towards improving is going to help a lot in the next couple of years,” he stated.
West Indies will battle the ‘Tigers’ in three 50-overs and two Tests. The first match begins on January 19.
