Gary Kirsten smiles as he addresses a news conference at the head office of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Mumbai on April 5, 2011. India regained the Cricket World Cup after 28 years with a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the final in Mumbai on April 2 under former South African batsman Kirsten.
Gary Kirsten smiles as he addresses a news conference at the head office of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Mumbai on April 5, 2011. India regained the Cricket World Cup after 28 years with a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the final in Mumbai on April 2 under former South African batsman Kirsten.
South African great Gary Kirsten, who coached India to World Cup success, said Tuesday he is helping rudderless Bangladesh quickly to find a coach ahead of a looming tour.
Bangladesh have not had a coach since Sri Lankan Chandika Hathurusingha stepped down in October after a successful three-year stint.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed Kirsten as a consultant to help find a coach before a tour of the West Indies in July and August.
Kirsten arrived in Bangladesh on Sunday and has already met players, BCB officials, selectors and local coaches. Kirsten, 50, said:
“I know Chandika did a great job with the team. I just want to understand what that was about and what made the team do well in that time. Hopefully, in a couple of weeks, I will have someone in place to take the team forward.”
Under Hathurusingha, the Bengalis reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2015 and the Champions Trophy semi-finals in England last year.
Bangladesh also won one-day series against Pakistan, India and South Africa and defeated Sri Lanka, England and Australia in Tests.
What is Gary Kirsten’s role with Bangladesh?
Kirsten, who represented South Africa in 101 Tests and 185 one-day internationals before coaching the Proteas and India, said he could remain linked to Bangladesh “through to the World Cup” in England next year.
Kirsten, who guided India to a World Cup triumph on home soil back in 2011. It was his first major coaching gig.
Upon his return home, Kirsten took up the reins at the Proteas, leading them to number one in the ICC Test Rankings, before resigning in 2013, citing family commitments. Kirsten now feels he can have an impact on Bangladesh:
“I have no doubt that the team can compete at the highest level. And I think there is every intention to set some lofty goals in terms of what they want to do over the next 18 months or so.”
