West Indies great Courtney Walsh has agreed to become Bangladesh's bowling coach and will begin a three-year stint this week. Bangladesh have appointed the West Indian fast-bowling great as their bowling coach on a three-year deal.The 53-year-old, the Caribbean's most successful bowler with 519 Test wickets, recently completed his role as a West Indies selector and his contract with Bangladesh runs until the 2019 World Cup in England.
"Having watched Bangladesh cricket from afar over the
years, they are a seriously talented bunch," Walsh said in a statement
issued on Thursday.
"(Coach) Chandika Hathurusinghe has done a wonderful job
thus far as head coach so hopefully I can complement his skills and
continue the positive progress.
"Obviously the West Indies is my home but the chance to go
in a new direction on the coaching front and with such a talented
group, was one I couldn't look past."
The Bangladesh job will be the first senior role for
Walsh, who has previously managed the West Indies under-19 side and
consulted for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League
among others.
Walsh, who played for West Indies for 17 years and also
took 227 wickets in One-Day Internationals, will prepare Bangaldesh's
attack for three 50-over matches against Afghanistan at home before they
host a high-profile series against England next month.
"We are delighted to have Courtney in our ranks. He is a
role model to millions and his fast bowling knowledge is second to
none," Bangladesh Cricket Board chief executive Nizam Uddin Chowdhury
said.
"Bangladesh cricket at present is going through the best
pace bowling phase in our history and Courtney's involvement I am sure
will take it to greater heights."
“Having watched Bangladesh cricket from afar over the years, they are a seriously talented bunch of players. Chandika Hathurusingha has done a wonderful job thus far as head coach so hopefully I can complement his skills and continue the positive progress.”
He retired in 2001 and has since served as Windies Under-19 team manager for the 2012 World Cup and as a senior team selector for the last two years.
Walsh wrapped up his stint as selector on Wednesday and said his new role offered him the opportunity to embark on a new phase of his career.
“I have loved my time working as a selector for the West Indies Cricket Board and I would like to thank them for that opportunity,” Walsh said.
“Obviously the West Indies is my home but the chance to go in a new direction in coaching at the international level with a talented group, was one I couldn’t let that opportunity pass.”
He links up with a Bangladesh side who lies ninth in the ICC Test rankings – 10 ratings points below West Indies who are eighth – and seventh in the One-Day International rankings.
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