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Old September 17, 2004, 12:52 PM
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reyme reyme is offline
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Join Date: May 19, 2004
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Default Prescription for Success

Motivation for the following prescription:

It seems we are running out of time to keep our test status and even one day status. Our team continues it lackluster performance and it seems they are simply not capable of a win or even ready to face elite cricket teams. Not only we cant win, we cant even compete. Bangladesh cricket team is becoming a laughing stock in the eyes of International Cricket World (Source Prothom Alo reporter, who had to leave the press box as foreign media continued to make fun of our team and players, in front of our journalists.) Not only we cant compete against elite teams, rest of the world is catching up fast. USA had a strong showing, Scotland/Canada already beat, Kenya beats regularly and more whipping is on the way. If things continues this way, there will tier system soon, and we might be relegated to a third tier within the next 4 years or so.

Problem:

#1: Cannot find a winning combination? Not sure who should play at what position? We tried so many experiments with players, nothing works.

#2: Domestic league is not properly formed? National players cannot play in the domestic league so it is less attractive and we don't have a place for them to try out, try to do some experiment?

#3: Talent pool is so thin. Hard to find a replacement?

#4: Our players are not so professional and less motivated in the field?

#5: Team is very young, less experienced. So how to get more experience?

#6: Morale is too low, after continuous loss, players forgot to win?

#7: Players are over played and tired, thus less motivated?

#8: How many batsmen/bowlers should we play in the team?

#9: Too much politics at BCB, player selection? Politics in the team?

#10: BCB don't have money for running a test team, give them proper facilities?



Solution:

There is a saying: Do one thing and do it right. A very good example is Team India. They have a solid lineup and everybody is assigned a position, and for and every position they have backups. If the starter fails or gets injured, he is replaced by his substitute. Its not like they go through order shuffle or rotations in every game.

To improve this is what I think needs to be done.

#1/2/3

We must have a solid domestic league cricket with 12-16 teams at least for 3 months, during which all the players, including the national players will participate. No international cricket participation at that time. The league will be both one dayer's and 3/4 dayers. This is the root, it must be prioritized. BCB needs to work this out with ICC for its own sake.

At the end of the league, we will select 44 players with 4 players for each position. We will form 4 teams out of them, let them play against each other, and then find the winning combination out of them. So our talent pool is not so thin, we have at least 4 players for each position. And we will do all the experiments right here, and we know who belongs at which position.

#4/5: In the domestic League Pitch will be of various conditions, so that no matter were we play the players are used to it. Must allow 3/4 foreign players in each team, so our players gets exposure of playing fast bowling and ruthless batting.

It will not provide less chances for the local players, rather it will give them more exposure and experience. That's how we improved during the early nineties and that's the way to go. It will be more competitive and good players will earn more. If BCB still wants more local players, they can increase number of teams or make more leagues.

Thus players will earn their experience and professionalism in the hard fought local but international league in all pitch conditions! Once this league is complete there will be more leagues to follow which will keep all the players except the national ones busy throughout the year and will make their living. How about some indoor cricket?

#6: Players will be exposed to nail biters in the domestic league, and see some of the seasoned international players leading the team by example. They will learn how to win the matches in the tough conditions. And they will see, it is indeed possible to win!

#7: Now that we have found the team and we have backups, BCB must make sure players are not overplayed and tired. Use the substitutes more often, and prepare calendar such a way so that key players are ready for the big games.

#8: Ideally there will be 6 batsmen, 3 pacers, 1 WK and 1 spinner. There must be 2 part time bowlers among 6 batsmen.

#9: This is not an ideal world. Politics is there and will be there not only in BCB, but in PCB, and others, and even in ICC. We just need to deal with it. It does help if we have good leaders.

#10: BCB must bring professionalism in cricket as much as possible. They will see how TV rights and sponsorship bring so much in this sports world. Make the leagues more attractive, bring in foreign players, show some if not all games on TV. If you build they will come. During the corporate league when we had many foreign players, we did not see lack of spectators. and that's how it works. Bring attractions, crowd will just follow. And soon the crowd will be followed by local media. And there you go, corporate business will simply follow to earn more business, they just want to see the money they are investing for sponsorship is returning their moneys worth or not. Trust me money will never be a problem. Its a a proven system in the USA, UK, Canada and in other countries and it will work for us too.
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