Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team’s technical advisor Stuart law said too much expectation over the teenage boys will not bring any good but some fatal results in the upcoming junior World Cup. The former Australian cricketer, who also coached Bangladesh national side, gave his opinion about the future of the age-level side in Dhaka on Thursday after the completion of his first stint of four-week with the junior Tigers.
‘It is a tremendous amount of pressure to heap on these young kids,’ Law remarked on the young players.
‘Cricket already has put enough pressure for them, I am trying to get them away from talking to anyone about it,’ he said.
Law, who could play just one Test in the time when Australia used to win virtually everything, blamed none but the media for mounting the pressure.
‘I don’t think the pressure is coming from the public or the cricket board, it is coming from you guys. The press tends to jump on everyone’s bandwagon saying you should win.’
The 46-year old Australian was also critical about focusing on winning the trophy only and he prescribed that success can be achieved and restored only with a long-term planning.
‘If you think your main role is to win the trophy, you won’t win it’, said Law.
‘Some teams try to buy success, I don’t believe you can.
‘You might be able to do it for a period of time but if you [give] a good structure and culture within the team and organisation, it will create success for the long-term.’
Law also tried to restrict the ambition and avoid setting high targets for the upcoming Under-19 World Cup scheduled to be held in Dhaka, early next year.
‘Everyone wants success, which is read in different ways. Success can be winning the trophy. It could also be making the semi-final or the second stage.
Law, who helped Bangladesh reach the final of the Asia cup, also described his role with the young side.
‘I am called the technical adviser. I am here to help both coach and players’, he said.
‘My role is to make sure they play good cricket, giving the best knowledge to them off the field.’
The Australian was also anxious about the too many practice matches before the World Cup.
The Bangladesh Under-19 team is set to play at least 13 games at home and away before the World Cup, something which Law warned could make a debilitating effect.
‘You don’t want to tire the boys out,’ he said. ‘You don’t want any of your key players to get injured before the World Cup.
‘It is a fine balancing act to play enough cricket to give them the opportunity to get a chance in the final 15, but not have them injured.’
-With New Age input
