Tigers' training begins today

[chinaman]

National cricketers begin today what will be their most extensive preparation since gaining Test status for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe in February. Practice starts at the Bangaban-dhu National Stadium in the morning under the supervision of coach Dav Whatmore. The 49-year-old Australian returned to Dhaka yesterday following a three-week Christmas and New Year's break in his land of birth Sri Lanka. Physio John Gloster and trainer Dean Woodford also arrived back in the capital yesterday after spending their holidays in native Australia.

The camp promises to be an intense one with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) hiring some high-profile Australian specialists of different fields to assist Whatmore. Their job will be to help the Tigers take thorough preparations mentally, physically and most importantly cricketwise.

Owen Mattau, who like What-more was also born in Sri Lanka, arrived in the same flight as the Bangladesh coach. He has been assigned to improve the batting of Bangladesh's tailenders during his three-week stint. Former Bangladesh coach Trevor Chappell, who incidentally was in charge when the Tigers played their first away series against Zimbabwe in 2001, is expected to arrive tomorrow to sharpen the fielding.

To ensure that all areas are covered, Australian sports psychologist Anthony Stewart has been appointed. Stewart will conduct some special sessions with the players. He is due on January 7. BCB's cricket committee chairman Mahbubul Anam informed yesterday that the camp would continue till January 25.

Bangladesh will leave for the African nation of Namibia on January 28 for a pre-tour conditioning camp. The Tigers' two-week stay in Namibia will see them take on the hosts in three limited-over matches and a three-dayer. Bangladesh will land in Zimbabwe on February 10 to play two Tests and five one-day internationals.

The four-member selection committee led by Faruque Ahmed has already called up a 17-member preliminary squad for the camp.

PRELIMINARY CALL-UPS

Khaled Mahmud, Habibul Bashar, Khaled Mashud, Tapash Baishya, Hanna Sarker, Shahriar Hossain, Rajin Saleh, Alok Kapali, Mohammed Ashraful, Ehsanul Haque, Mohammad Selim, Mohammed Rafique, Tareq Aziz Khan, Manjarul Islam Rana, Anwar Hossain Monir, Mushfiqur Rahman and Hasibul Hossain.

Source

[BangladeshCricket]

thanks a lot
It will be greatly appreciated if 'somehow' we also can get the 'pics' and practice news.