Australian Stuart Law, the newly-appointed technical adviser of the Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team, has spent four weeks with his charges. Keeping the impending 2016 ICC U-19 World Cup in mind, the former Tigers head coach supervised a training camp in Khulna recently.
Upon his return to the capital city, the former Australian middle-order batsman spoke to the media yesterday at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium where he talked about his expectations and his role in the U-19 side, among other things.
Here are the excerpts of his press conference:
How was the camp in Khulna?
It has been tough. It is a lot of cricket in short space of time. Boys really applied themselves. They have made steady progression each time they’ve gone out there. They have been trying to learn from any mistake that they make.
What are your expectations with your charges?
Bangladesh are very strong in the U-19 and U-17 levels for some years now. Just trying to create that pathway from U-19 to the national team. We have seen a couple of players do it in recent times; Mustafizur [Rahman] jumped from U-19 to the senior role. The harder the cricket they play, the quicker they improve.
What do you think about the local coaches in the country?
They may not be well known in the public but they are respected within the organisation. They have done everything possible to make my time here comfortable and safe. They have been outstanding with the boys to get the results, particularly against South Africa at home and away. It was a tremendous effort. They beat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka after going 2-0 down. They are doing their job and their part.
What is your role in the side?
I am called the technical adviser. I am here to help both coach and players. To me it is a role that is all-encompassing, being asked to do different things by the coach. I like it that way. I give my advice, and I take their advice.
Given the recent results against the South Africans and the Sri Lankans, do you think hosts Bangladesh will be under tremendous pressure to land the title when the upcoming U-19 World Cup rolls on the field?
It is always nice to support the home team. I don’t think the pressure is coming from the public or the cricket board, it is coming from you guys (media). The press tend to jump on everyone’s bandwagon saying you should win. It is a tremendous amount of pressure to heap on these young kids. I am trying to get them away from talking to anyone about it. If you think your main role is to win the trophy, you won’t win it.
Your thoughts on the forthcoming Bangladesh-Australia Test series?
You can’t have a favourite in a two-horse race. If you pick a favourite, you are mad. If Bangladesh play anywhere near what they have been in recent times, they will give Australia a real fright. Bangladesh has to play good cricket. It will be tight. 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.
