Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Law handed Tigers post

Former Australia all-rounder Stuart Law has been appointed as the new coach of Bangladesh, replacing fellow countryman Jamie Siddons.

The 42-year-old is currently acting as Sri Lanka's interim coach and will continue in that role for the one-day series with England.

Law stepped up from assistant coach with Sri Lanka following their World Cup final defeat and recently admitted that he didn't know what the future had in store for him.

Sri Lanka officials could not offer any guarantees to Law offer his position beyond November and Law felt "job security" was the "most important thing". Those following the cricket betting odds will wonder what sort of impact the move will have on Sri Lanka.

Now the Bangladesh Cricket Board have now given him a permanent post, with the former Lancashire star penning a two-year contract to take charge of the Tigers.

Bangladesh media committee head Jalal Yunus stated that the selection panel were looking for a coach who has "leadership quality" and they felt Law fitted the bill.

Law has captained both Queensland and Lancashire during his playing career and only hung up his bat in 2009.

The Queenslander only played one Test for Australia but did make 54 one-day international appearances, with over 1000 ODI runs at an average of 26.89.

Law has major task on his hands to get Bangladesh moving in the right direction, with the Tigers currently ninth in both Test and ODI rankings.

Law's first assignment will be a Test and one-day series in Zimbabwe, which gets underway in August.

Meanwhile, current coaches Marvan Atapattu, Ruwan Kalpage and Champaka Ramanayake are said to be in the running to replace Law as Sri Lanka boss.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Donald seeks Proteas competition

New South Africa bowling coach Allan Donald feels it is vital for the team's progress that there is plenty of competition for places.

The fast bowling legend was recently appointed into the role by new head coach Gary Kirsten – who is a former team-mate of Donald.

Donald is arguably South Africa's finest pace bowler of all time, with 330 Test wickets and 272 ODI scalps to his name. Those looking at the cricket betting will wonder if he can inspire the nation's bowlers to match his feats.

The 44-year-old, who had previously been working with New Zealand, seemed like the perfect choice for the role and he already has big plans for the Proteas bowlers.

The former Warwickshire paceman will be working with the first and fourth best players in the Test rankings, in Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

Despite the duo's fine recent record in the five-day game, Donald says there are things with their “mindset” that can be “worked on”. Despite their already intimidating style, Donald wants Styen and Morkel to be part of an attack that is “cocky and arrogant in all the right ways”.

The new bowling coach is keen for the strike bowlers not to get too comfortable and is seeking the young players to stake their claim for a regular place in the squad.

Donald told Cricinfo: "I want the younger guys to punch a hole into the line up and not just sit and wait for their turn."

The Proteas will begin their new era under Kirsten in October, when they welcome Australia to South Africa. The two teams will do battle in two T20 internationals, three ODIs and two Tests.