Courtney Walsh could be appointed Bangladesh bowling coach
Former West Indian fast bowling legend Courtney Walsh is speculated to take over as the bowling coach of the Bangladesh Cricket team. This post has been lying vacant ever since Zimbabwean Heath Streak decided not to renew his contract at the end of the May this year.
Walsh, who is currently the member of the West Indies selection committee is bound by contract until the end of the Indian series. Before Walsh, names like Aaqib Javed, Allan Donald, Chaminda Vaas and Champaka Ramanayeke have been offered the job, but these candidates did not come on board.
The Bangladesh Cricket board has not made any official confirmation about the development, but this new coach will come into the team before England tours Bangladesh. This tour starts on September 30.
The former Caribbean great has picked up 519 wickets in 132 Test matches and 227 wickets in 205 ODIs. His appointment will be a big shot in the arm for the Bangladesh team which has taken huge strides in the past few years.
The 53-year old has already worked as the manager of the West Indies Under-19 team for the 2012 World Cup and has also featured as a commentator and broadcaster for various mediums.
The England team will tour Bangladesh after several rounds of debates and deliberations regarding their security. However, Andrew Strauss, director of England Cricket Board has maintained that the final decision to tour the country will be left to the players, and that there will be no pressure from the board.
Many players too have voiced their reluctance to tour Bangladesh, and fast bowler Liam Plunkett has already mentioned that he will take the advice of his family before boarding the flight.
However, both the International Cricket Council and the BCB have expressed hope that the tour goes on as scheduled, and that all security measures are put into place.