[Nadim]

GP-BCB NATIONAL CRICKET ACADEMY MANAGER & HEAD COACH ROSS TURNER SPEAKS TO TIGERCRICKET.COM/bcb_cricket.com IN AN EXCLUSSIVE INTERVIEW ON JULY 04, 2001, EXPRESSES HIS VIEWS ON DIFFERENT ISSUES.




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Q: It is still early days for you as the GP-BCB NCA Head Coach and Manager. What were the motivating factors for you when you decided to take up this responsibility and how has been so far?

A: The principal motivation is assist Bangladesh establish an effective structure to prepare emerging players for professional cricket. As a regular visitor to Bangladesh over the past decade I have observed and enjoyed a wonderful passion for cricket and players ‘innate skills for the game.

A key quest is to establish and maintain processes by which leading players and coaches abide. This will showcase the skills to participants in underpinning competitions and programs.

In a broader context there is a need to consolidate the talent development system throughout Bangladesh. It is essential that divisional talent development programs operate in parallel with the National Cricket Academy.

Q: You have obviously set out your targets and goals. What are the key areas you would be looking into?

A: Long-term term targets focus on the number and quality of cricketers graduating from the academy to the ‘A’ and national team level. It is reasonable to expect that the academy players will lead the first class cricket bowling, batting and wicket keeping averages as a means of demonstrating their capacity for higher honours.
Establishing a network of divisional cricket academies is considered a priority. These divisional or satellite programs will serve to identify talented players and act as nurseries for the central hub of the national cricket academy.

Such a network will consolidate the national cricket pathway for players as well as creating a framework in which coaches can be productive and accountable.

Q: You are no stranger to Bangladesh and have a distinguished history of association with Bangladesh cricket. How have you seen cricket evolving here over the years?

A: I’ve witnessed transformation in the development of the game in the youngest Test nation. However, there is still considerable work to be undertaken to consolidate various structures. Instituting such changes will ultimately enhance Bangladesh’s performance internationally.

Q: Give us a bit of insight into the academy programand the kind of talent at your disposal.

Typically Bangladesh cricketers are instinctive in approach and this contributes to a creative style of play which is considered an advantage. This said there is need for sound technique and effective decision making given that our opponents – read other Test nations – are capable of performing to the highest level in all forms of the game.

A: The current intake of scholars has a capacity to play both attacking and defensive cricket. A key emphasis of the program is build players’ skills in order to adapt to different conditions and match circumstances. Tours to South Africa and the like provide a tremendous opportunity to test these newly learned skills.

Q: Often in the past players from the under 19 team or the academy have been fast-tracked into the national team set up. Do you think this hampers the development of a cricketer?

A: It is preferable that Under 19 or academy players consolidate their learnings in youth and first class cricket rather than at the international level. This allows the player time to mature in readiness for international cricket. A by-product of this approach is the strengthening of the national competition.

Q: You were one of the pioneers when the BCB was setting up the cricket development pathway with the assistance of Cricket Australia. Looking back how would you assess that cooperation and more importantly, what do you think needs to be done in the future?

A: Cricket Australia’s commitment was honourable and provided necessary assistance at a time when Bangladesh was taking its formative steps in international cricket.

The achievements in terms of facility design or Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, coaching and umpiring represented important staging posts for an organisation seeking to build its structure and at the same establish credibility as a Test playing nation.

An obvious next step is consolidating the regional structure to strengthen grass roots cricket as well as streamlining the talent pathway. Well-structured competitions played on good quality wickets are essential for building a merit-based cricket system.

Q: What’s your coaching philosophy?

A: Developing self-reliant players who are able to recognise what’s required to perform in different conditions and circumstances is a mark of effective coaching.

It’s also worth noting that cricket is a people business – so good communication, planning and measurement is essential in leading players, coaches and administrators towards the intended target.

Q: What are the challenges ahead for the Academy and Bangladesh cricket?

A: In short, attaining the ascribed targets – and ultimately setting international standard benchmarks that will serve Bangladesh cricket at national level. This will also drive change at divisional and district levels.

Q: Have you spotted special talents among the Academy boys who could emulate or better the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal in the near future?

A: It’s too early to predict which players might wear the baggy green cap of Bangladesh. Suffice to say we strive to create an environment in which equip the scholars with the necessary tools in preparation for elite level cricket.

In specific terms it was pleasing to witness the performance of Alauddin Babu, Anamul Haque, Sanzamul Islam and Mominul Haque in the recent series between the Grameenphone National Cricket Academy and Cricket South Africa Academy.

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