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Aussies warned of ‘real fright’ in Bangladesh

Admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 09:26:41 +0000

Former Australia cricketer Stuart Law on Thursday asked his countrymen to prepare for a ‘real fright’ when they visit Bangladesh for a two-match Test series later this month.
Law, who played a Test and 54 one-day internationals for Australia, coached Bangladesh’s national team in 2012, taking them to the Asia Cup final, before quitting for family reasons.He is currently in Dhaka as the technical advisor of the national Under-19 team ahead of the next year’s U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh.
‘You can’t have a favourite in a two-horse race. If you pick a favourite, you are mad,’ Law said in Dhaka while speaking to reporters.
‘If Bangladesh play anywhere near what they have been in recent times, they will give Australia a real fright,’ he said.
‘People, who are expecting Australia to come here and be the big bully and beat Bangladesh out of the stadium, don’t think that’s the case.
‘Bangladesh will be ready for a fight,’ he added.
Bangladesh, who beat Pakistan, India and South Africa in recent ODI series, will host Australia in the first Test from October 9-13 in Chittagong and for the second from October 17-21 in Dhaka.
Australia are grappling with huge changes after ex-skipper Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Chris Rogers and Shane Watson all retired during the just concluded Ashes series.
The new-look Australian squad arrives in Dhaka on September 28 including two uncapped players in 30-year-old paceman Andrew Fekete and 22-year-old batsman Cameron Bancroft.
‘Australia are going through rebuilding. It is a different look team,’ Law said.
‘The amount of experience that has left the team recently is a huge hole to fill.’
He warned his compatriots about Bangladesh’s hot and humid conditions, saying it will not be easy for them to adapt.
‘I understand it will be hot. The ball will turn and another big stepping stone would be to get used to the lifestyle here,’ he said.
‘They have a lot of hurdles to jump over. Bangladesh has to play good cricket. It will be tight.
Bangladesh have played and lost four Tests against Australia in the past, three of them by an innings margin.

-With New Age input

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Law to help execute plans, not change

Admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 01:23:52 +0000

Former national coach Stuart Law said on Tuesday that he is not willing to make too many changes in Bangladesh Under-19 setup but he is rather keen to add some values on the current system.
Law arrived on Monday to take up the technical advisor’s role of the Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team ahead of the ICC Under-19 World Cup, scheduled to take place here during next year.
He will work with the Junior Tigers for 16 weeks in three phases and first phase will be limited to four weeks, which will start in Khulna on August 30 before moving to BKSP for a skill training programme for Under-19 Squad.
Bangladesh are tipped as one of the favorites in the tournament after their recent success in both home and away against reigning Under-19 champions South Africa.
‘I am not here to change anything,’ Law told reporters at Mirpur. ‘I am not here to come in and say you do it that way or this way. I am going to assist and help the system as it is at the moment.
‘They have got the plan in place and I am going to add value to the system instead of changing it.
‘I will put an emphasis on what they have been doing well and if they understand and realise what they have been doing well and continue doing well then they will have success.
‘In a team sport you need to chalk out your role and it seems some of them have already chalked out their roles,’ he said.
Law, who had worked with the Australian emerging players after quitting the role of Bangladesh team head coach, said his major focus would be keeping the boys grounded ahead of the tournament.
‘If you start winning and become successful you can become complacent in the way about doing things,’ said Law.
‘It’s not about starting the day where we left off the day before but standing up and starting the day differently. If you continue to do that you can have more success.
‘It’s very easy to get into the mindset of winning a game or a hundred and you will notice that the boy who nicked the first ball or the second thinking that he is on 120,’ he said.
Law, who guided Bangladesh to the Asia Cup final in 2012 during his brief stint with the Tigers, said he had kept close eyes on his former charges.
He felt if they had played the Asia Cup at the moment they would have won the tournament.
Bangladesh lost to Asia Cup final to Pakistan by two runs, a defeat that still haunts many players.
‘I watched them pretty closely particularly in the World Cup when they had couple of games in my home town in Brisbane,’ said Law.
‘I am following the team progress as much as I can and I am following them in the facebook. I congratulate them when they are in good form and its pleasing to see,’ said Law.
‘I think they started to believe that they can compete at the top level. The games that we lost we should have won it,’ he said.
‘I think if we play that tournament now Bangladesh would be favourite to win it,’ he said.

-With New Age input

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Law arrives today to guide Jr Tigers

Admin — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 04:56:40 +0000

Former national team head coach Stuart Law will arrive today to take the role of technical advisor of the Bangladesh Under-19 team ahead of ICC Under-19 World Cup to be hosted by Bangladesh in January-February 2016. Law, who agreed a 16-week contract, will arrive through a Singapore Airlines at 10 PM to complete the first of his assignment. He is scheduled to stay for four weeks in this stint.
Former Australian cricketer Law had been in charge of Bangladesh national team in 2012 and guided them to Asia Cup final before quitting on a family reason.
He also coached Sri Lanka and once held the position of Australia cricket team’s batting coach.

-With New Age input

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Law leaves with happy memory

Admin — Sat, 05 May 2012 17:09:03 +0000

Outgoing national coach Stuart Law leaves the country today with happy memories after completing his nine-month stint with the Bangladesh national cricket team.
Law had taken over as the head coach of Bangladesh in July last year on a two-year contract, replacing compatriot Jamie Siddons, but stepped down from the position recently citing family reasons.
The resignation of Law will take effect on June 30 but he was given an early clearance as Bangladesh have no international commitments until that period following the cancellation of Pakistan tour.
‘I will take back a lot of things as this was my first appointment as an international head coach,’ Law told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday.
‘Learning how to deal with different players, different cultures. I would have loved to see the time out but in this short time, I have learned a lot,’ said Law.
Though Law started off on the wrong foot when Bangladesh were humiliated by Zimbabwe in his first series as the Tigers’ coach, he started to develop the team into a unit.
The high point of his career came when he guided the Tigers to the Asia Cup final which they lost to Pakistan by only two runs.
‘What we have seen in the last six months is a steady progression going forward. Players are starting to realise they can compete against top opposition. I see a lot of talent, just need a bit of discipline and direction. Once that happens, they start playing good cricket,’ said Law.
Law also had been pretty successful in gelling the team into a good unit without depending on the individual brilliance of Sakib al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal.
Though the duo remained the most successful performers at the Asia Cup, other players also started to complement them that made the team look like a daring outfit in the showcase event.
‘You look for the standout players and those two have been carrying Bangladesh for a while. I told the rest of the team that it is not about two players. It’s about other people sticking their hand up and doing well,’ said Law.
‘Guys like Nasir Hossain comes through, he’s basically up there with Sakib and Tamim. It takes the pressure off those two as well, especially Sakib who plays a part in every game with his batting, bowling and fielding,’ he said.
The Australian was also impressed with the young players and believed that they can take the country’s cricket far ahead.
‘Young Bijoy (Anamul Haque) is a quality player. I’ve been trying to see Mominul Haque get into the team. He’s scored runs in the A team tours. We’ve been discussing him at lengths in selection meetings. He looked like a quality young player,’ said Law.
‘Raju (Abul Hossain)…I love him. Bowls quick, 140-plus, has the slower ball. But Bijoy for me, especially during the BPL, he looked like he was born to perform.
‘The one thing he said to me which I will never forget. I asked him where would you like to bat, he said, “I want to be No 3, I want to be the best player in the world”. If that comes across, good on you,’ Law pointed out.
Law, who happens to be a great admirer of Sakib, advised the all-rounder to give more importance to his fitness as he feels the former skipper needs to be physically stronger to take his game one step forward.
‘He’s professional on the field but off the field he’s different. I don’t mean this in a bad way, but he could be fitter. He’s admitted that he can work a bit harder on those aspects,’ the Australian said.
‘When he gets out in the cricket field, he creates something out of nothing. He’s a beautiful player to watch when he’s going great with the bat. I was probably in that boat as well, so I can understand. I didn’t like training, I liked playing,’ Law concluded.

-With New Age input

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Stuart Law quits as Bangladesh coach

Admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:12:16 +0000

Stuart Law has resigned as Bangladesh coach after nine months in the job, citing family reasons.
He will stay on till the end of June, when his contract expires.
His decision to quit comes less than a month after Bangladesh reached the final of the Asia Cup, widely seen as one of their finest achievements.
“It is with great regret and a heavy heart that today I announce my stepping down as the head coach of Bangladesh,” Law said.
He said he will move back to Australia, after two and a half years in subcontinent, which included a coaching stint with Sri Lanka. “It is personal reason as to why I am standing down. Living away from the family and not seeing people growing up, I think we all understand that family comes first,” he said. “Cricket has been a huge part of my life but over the years I have realised that there is nothing more important than the family and if they are not happy then I am not happy and something had to give.”
Law had taken over as national coach last July, and though the initial results were disappointing – including losses to Zimbabwe – the home season ended with Bangladesh upsetting India and Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup, before losing the final in a last-ball finish.
Bangladesh media committee chairman Jalal Yunus said the board understood Law’s decision. “As he (Law) has said the family was his priority and that should be the case for all of us,” Yunus said. “We are sorry to see him go, especially at a time when under his guidance the Bangladesh team is doing really well and showing good consistency.”

-With ESPNcricinfo input

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Law hails BCB’s captaincy decision

Admin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 01:56:33 +0000

Bangladesh coach Stuart Law hailed the decision of appointing wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim the new national captain and hoped that Mushfiqur would maintain professionalism to take the game forward in Bangladesh.
‘That’s good news for Mushfiq,’ Law told New Age in his instant reaction to the Bangladesh Cricket Board decision. ‘He is a dedicated cricketer and likes to lead from the front and I am sure he will do a fine job.’
The cricket board appointed Mushfiqur the captain for two back-to-back series against West Indies and Pakistan, replacing Sakib al Hasan, who was sacked in the wake of a disappointing Zimbabwe tour.
All-rounder Mahmudulla replaced Tamim Iqbal as vice-captain.
‘That’s a step forward as well. Sakib and Tamim had left the job under pretty uncertain circumstances and these two guys have come in. I think they all have the support of the dressing room mates.
‘They are both very dedicated to the cause of Bangla
desh cricket. May be it will give them the boost in the right direction to improve their cricket as well,’ he said.
Asked about his expectations from new captain, Law said: ‘We want professionalism and we want people to be accountable for what they do and I believe Mushy is one of those guys who can do that.
‘He is a great person and, as I said, very dedicated to his cricket. It will be nice to see young kids looking up to someone like that as his work ethic is second to none,’ Law said.

-With New Age input

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Tamim has no resentment over his sacking by BCB

Admin — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 16:58:21 +0000

The most assured batsman for the national team, Tamim Iqbal, is not worried or unhappy about the decision of the Bangladesh Cricket Board for sacking him as the vice-captain of the national cricket team. The problems were brewing among the skipper and the selection committee, coach and board, coach and players regarding various issues from a couple of months ago. After the disastrous Zimbabwe tour things came to a boiling point.
On September 6, the cricket board took the decision and sacked the captain and vice-captain of the team after getting the reports about various irregularities among the players.
The left handed batsman told many things about himself and the present condition of the team. For the first time after being removed from the post of vice-captain he faced the media and replied to some queries.
He said, “I am not worried or unhappy about it. It is the board’s decision. I’ve no authority on the matter. I did not take the post myself. If the BCB thinks that I was not the right man then that’s fine. I’ve no complaint, no resentment against any body. I respect them whether it is wrong or right.”
“I was very honest when I was the vice caption for the team. I’m very happy to be a part of the Bangladesh team. I always try to play better for the team,” the dashing batsman said while he was answering the queries of the media persons at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.
The opening batsman was talking with the media at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday humbly said he would have felt better if the board had discussed the matter with him before taking their decision. He said he would give his full support to the new captain of the team.
When asked about the hassle with coach in Zimbabwe, Tamim said, “I was shocked to hear the news. I had nothing to do with it.”
When asked about the Zimbabwean new pacer Braden Vittori whom he described as ordinary bowler, the opening batsman of the Bangladesh national team just avoided the issue. Rather he said “We’re going to play another tournament. Tell us or ask about it. Don’t ask about it. You all have heard many things about it. Asked about the West Indies bowlers Adams or Rampal.”
Talking about the BCB Cup, Tamim said, “I think it’s a very positive initiative of the BCB. It will be a challenge. It will be very helpful for all levels of players. If someone exhibits his best performance in the tournament the possibility of his inclusion to the national team will be much more than others. If national team players do better performance in the match, it will be a moral boost for the upcoming tour.”
When asked if he would feel any pressure as every player will try to put on his best performance and try to take a position in the national team, Tamim said, “I think there is no pressure on us. It’s just another cricket game. If we can put up our best performance it will increase our confidence for the next series against West Indies. At any game or any tournament, every player wants to show his best performance in the game.”

-With The Independent input

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Sakib’s sacking surprises Law

Admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 04:07:51 +0000

Bangladesh coach Stuart Law said he was surprised to see Sakib al Hasan being sacked as captain but hoped the decision would not hamper progress of the national team. Speaking to reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Thursday after the first practice session of the Tigers ahead of the home series against West Indies, Law also defended his decision of requesting head of delegation Shafiqur Rahman and visiting selector Habibul Bashar to leave the dressing room during the Zimbabwe tour. Law, who arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday, also cleared the smoke about a reported argument between him and now deposed vice-captain Tamim Iqbal over a training session in Zimbabwe. Here are the excerpts of his conversation with reporters.
Q: Were you consulted before removing the captain?
Law: Look, I wasn’t consulted because I was on leave. Probably I was not contactable at the time. The board has made a decision not just for what had happened in Zimbabwe but from what I understand some other ongoing situations. They have made a decision and we just got to get on with it and play good cricket.
Q: When did you hear the news?
Law: I read it on e-mail a couple of days ago.
Q: What was your reaction?
Law: I was a bit surprised. It is pretty difficult to see one’s own reaction but inside I knew that I was very surprised by the news.
Q: How was the dressing room environment in Zimbabwe?
Law: I have observed it’s no different to any other dressing room that I have been involved. The captain and the vice-captain are the leaders of the group. They had the respect of the players and they did share their respect as well. From what you guys were told or what’s been reported it’s far from truth from what’s going on inside the dressing room. What I have seen is that they are a disciplined bunch of boys. They enjoyed good time but they were allowed to and it’s part of growing up. We are dealing with some young men in the dressing room and they got to be given their chance to grow as well. Yes, we didn’t perform well in Zimbabwe but it steadily improved. We got two youngsters who came in and did a great job. There are a lot of positive things that came out of the dressing room. The feeling since I have been involved with the team the dressing room atmosphere has always been good.
Q: What about the head of delegation’s complaint about not letting them enter the dressing room?
Law: I did not have so many problems with it. I just saw the players’ reaction when things have been said and look I am different obviously to a lot of things. This is the first time I have seen the head of delegation and the selector being in the dressing room for every part of the game and every minute of the day. It’s new. I just believe that the players need some sanctuary to get away and the dressing room is their sanctuary. In the hotel we are surrounded by press. At the dressing room when we get there we were surrounded by other pressures other than what we had to deal with. Players just need to have that little bit of space just to get away with what is actually happening so that they can gather their thought and start planning, so that they can go and play better cricket. It’s been unfair for anybody.
Q: Did the players tell you to request them not to enter into the dressing room?
Law: It wasn’t the fact that the players have come and told me that you got to get them out. It wasn’t that. I observed what was going on. I spoke to the players and they said ‘look, if you can get them out maybe it will be better for us’. It was never a fact that someone came to me and said that mate they must go. It was a group decision and I have got nothing against the guys inside the dressing room. They have got nothing but the best interest of the players at heart and they just wanted the boys to play good cricket not quite realising that their presence in the dressing room was putting a lot of pressure on them.
Q: It was reported that the players misbehaved with you in the dressing room. Is it true?
Law: I am not aware that the players were bad with me.
Q: Is it true that Tamim Iqbal had an altercation with you regarding the practice.
Law: It was a dressing room talk and there was no malice. We just had a conversation and it was done and dusted within a very short time.
Q: Don’t you think it’s unusual to change the captain and the vice-captain at the same time?
Law: To be honest in international cricket anything can be tried with injuries and certain decision that has been made can be better for the players as well. At any stage you can change a captain and a vice-captain. I don’t think it’s going to interrupt the progression of the team. You know the new guy who comes in will have the full support of the dressing room.
Q: Do you think you have got the chance to start a new journey with a new captain?
Law: You can look it that way, but with Sakib we could learn a lot as the partnership progresses which had already started. Now we have to start again so you can look at it that way as well. In cricket field basically they run themselves. The captain makes the decision but very rarely the captain is the one who makes the decision all by himself. He will consult his playing partners out there. So that will still be the same, the new guy will ask for a lot of advice and it will be great to have a guy like Sakib in the locker room for the new captain to ask for advice while on the field and that is going to be a positive.
Q: Have you seen anyone with the captaincy material?
Law: There is a lot of good players and a lot of good cricket minds and with lot of passion for the game and for the country. I think you can choose any one from the six people to do that job.
Q: How do you rate Sakib as a captain?
Law: Look, what he has done…his performance has improved and only good players can do so because it’s a tremendous pressure. Specially now being here this probably is the biggest pressure cooker out for a captain in world cricket. After captaincy he took it on and has done a very good job.
Q: Your advice for Sakib?
Law: Enjoy. Enjoy not having to deal with this [press] every five minutes. Enjoy the release of pressure. Go and play even better cricket. That’s what I am going to say to him…just think of it as a great thing. For some people this [captaincy] becomes a burden to have this thrust upon them. Now he is free to play cricket and not have to be scrutinised for everything. It can work that way and it can be positive for him.
Q: Are you embarrassed with the overall situation?
Law: It’s not an embarrassment for me. I am here to make the boys play better cricketer. Let the cricket board do the hiring and firing.

Courtesy of New Age

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Law wants change of mindset

Admin — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 21:17:54 +0000

Stuart Law has called for changes in Bangladesh cricket, both on and off the field.
The new coach of the Tigers who took over a week before the Zimbabwe tour commenced saw losses in the first five matches in charge before the two wins towards the end here at the Queens Sports Club that added respectability to the ODI series scoreline, bringing it to 3-2.
But Law hoped to see technical as well as cultural adjustments for a better future.
“It’s not whether they’re good tourists but how they perceive their game plans out of the sub-continent. We picked a lot of teams and a lot of field placements that were perfect for the sub-continent, but we’re not there,” said Law after the match yesterday.
“We need to start thinking a little bit more outside the box when we’re away from home. That’s just natural at the moment but it’s something we can address next time we’re away from home,” he added.
Law was also surprised to see the Tigers getting stuck in their hotel rooms rather than making an effort to learn about the country they’re visiting.
The players have only been seen mostly frequenting Indian restaurants and going at great lengths to seek home comforts, a bane among many for a long time.
The Australian has however asked for a bit more open-mindedness.
“They are a good bunch of blokes, probably like to get them out of their hotel rooms a bit more.
“They’ve come to Zimbabwe and they’ve got the opportunity to see wonderful sights; wildlife parks, Vic Falls. Unfortunately all they’ve seen is cricket ground and hotel rooms. Maybe that’ll change in the future,” he said.
Law however admitted that the change must come from “all walks of life” within Bangladesh cricket, rather than just the players.
“I understand Bangladesh are very passionate about their cricket. They do things differently and I think sometimes it might not be to the benefit to the cricket team. What’s happened over the years obviously hasn’t worked because Bangladesh hasn’t lifted off the bottom. Maybe it’s time for a few things to change.
“I know I’m going to upset a lot of people when we mention these things but if we really think hard about it, a lot of things got to change. Not just from the players but from all walks of life regarding Bangladesh cricket.
“It’s not a negative and harsh thing. It’s to try something different to make the boys better and start climbing that ladder,” explained Law.
He cited two examples from different spheres for the rest to follow. He would like the players to play with the freedom that Shakib Al Hasan and Shovogoto Hom Chowdhury, the new recruit, has shown during the last two games.
“Shuvogoto [Hom Chowdhury] played freely, that’s how you want all your players to play. Shakib Al Hasan continues to impress, he’s a class performer with the bat in hand. He’s a good leader.
“That’s how you want every player to play, with the freedom and mindset those two guys have shown,” he said.

-With The Daily Star input

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Dropped catches cost us: Law

Admin — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:37:30 +0000

Stuart Law lamented the four dropped catches and untimely fall of wickets in Bangladesh’s 5-run loss yesterday which sealed a series win for Zimbabwe.
The new Tigers coach, who praised Mushfiqur Rahim for the valiant century in the dark at the Harare Sports Club, was shocked to see the four clangers.
The wicketkeeper-batsman more than made up for dropping the catch of Tatenda Taibu on 41 by hammering a superb 101 off 100 balls, but with his final swing of the bat became the wicket that gave Zimbabwe the victory.
“You can’t blame him [Mushfiqur]. He’s played one of the best innings of his career. It’s just a shame that a guy who plays an innings like that ends up in the losing team. He’s absolutely distraught in the dressing room,” said Law at the post-match press conference.
“If some of the batsmen who got out before him did things differently, it would’ve been a different story. I still can’t get out of the head the four catches we dropped, that probably cost us,” he said.
The Tigers had an on-and-off chase especially after Tamim Iqbal ran himself out bizarrely and then Shakib Al Hasan was caught superbly by Prosper Utseya to make it 124 for four.
Mushfiqur, who strained his hamstring during the innings and was not available to collect his man-of-the-match trophy, carried the Tigers into a winning position through two important partnerships, but those two ended in dismal fashion.
“We tried hard today. We had plans that we stuck to. It was looking pretty good at some stage but we came out the wrong side. We put up a good fight. Once again, credit to Zimbabwe. They showed how to bat.
“A couple of silly mistakes at the wrong time cost us the match today,” said the former Australian cricketer. Now Law believes that his team has finally woken up, due to the close loss, and have all to play for in Bulawayo in the last two one-dayers.
“I don’t think we need to lift the team anymore. We were well up for the game today, we fielded well in the first 20 overs. Lot of hustle, noise, encouragement and some great stops.
“Even though the series is gone, there’s pride at stake. It would be nice to get out of Harare to erase some bad memories of our cricket here,” he said.
It was Bangladesh’s first one-day series loss to Zimbabwe in five years and despite the hosts coming back into Test cricket after six years, it was their preparation this time that won the day.
“Zimbabwe have had fantastic preparation; they played tough cricket against Australia A and South Africa A leading into the series.
“Our preparation probably wasn’t ideal with the monsoon at home. We played games against our Academy, probably not the sternest test before we come here and play a team that has played tough cricket,” said Law.
His opposite number Alan Butcher hailed his team’s fighting spirit and said he’d love to make a clean sweep of it. “We shouldn’t get too carried away. We won a Test and three ODIs but there are areas of improvement. We knew that from the first two games that Bangladesh were capable of playing better than they did. And they showed it.
“We’d really love to have a 5-0 win,” said Butcher, who praised his two young fast bowlers.
“A year ago we never heard of Brian Vitori. He wasn’t getting any franchise. Kyle Jarvis was struggling with an injury; we weren’t sure when he’s coming back. Those two have really come forward,” he said.

-With The Daily Star input

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