‘We are a work in progress, we are a good team’: Pybus
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
KANDY – Bangladesh Coach Richard Pybus speaks about his expectations at the ICC WT20:
Realistic target
We have to play well to win the game. On the day it could be anybody’s game, but I’m pretty happy where we are at. Bottom line is our focus is on the first game. I thought we were pretty poor against Ireland and it could be because we spent three days travelling to the West Indies, four days playing and another three days to travel back. So I will give the boys a bit of grace there. But we had a good training day today and another training day tomorrow and get back into the game.
Area of concern if any
The boys are fit, no niggles in the camp. So we are really looking forward to the first game.
Spinners
It is one of our core strengths, and we have different types of spinners. We could use six or seven spinners if we wanted to. I am also pleased at the seam attack. We have a raw fast bowler in young Raju (Abul Hossain), we have some high quality swing and seam from Mash and Shafiul. And a few overs from Zia and also have an all-rounder like Farhad Reza.
Group of death
When you’ve got a group of three teams, each group is a group of death. The two sides are brought closer in 240 balls. I wouldn’t call it the group of death; we know what we have to do, we have been training hard for the last three months.
Areas that need improvement
It is about being focused on the day. We have to be very precise in the things that we need to do. An area where I expect improvement is our fielding, not skills but intensity has not been what I expect.
Pitches
You could play on every square in the world, but each track will have different quality. The main thing for me is that sides that read the conditions quickly and adapt, get their lengths right, that’s what it is going to be about. I think we are pretty well suited with the variety of our attack but the ability of the bowlers to adapt will be the key.
If he had the option to add one thing…
It’s important we are on top of our game; being calm and composed is one of the biggest things in Twenty20 cricket. You watch the players and see if they hold their shape. We are a work in progress, we are a good team.
On coaching Sub continental teams
Teams play as a reflection of their culture. It doesn’t change the way that you prepare. It is really about understanding about your boys, and not overly focus on your opposition. You need to know how they construct their game. Bottom line is for coach is to making sure we focus on what we can control.
Main strength of New Zealand
They are quite a strong team in fact. Daniel Vettori is the key man. As a batting unit, they have a few dangerous strikers of the ball like Brendan McCullum and Ross Taylor. They have pretty good depth, and NZ is always very competitive and focused unit. I think for us, the boys are looking forward to the game.
Their weak point
It’s not for me to point out the weak point of their side. They are a good unit.
Head Coach Richard Pybus briefs the players before the start of the training session at Pallekele Cricket Stadium today
The Bangladesh team training at Pallekele
PHOTOS
(C) BCB