Lay down the Law- TheDailyStar

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Daily Star Sport (DSS): How big was the India win for you?

Stuart Law (SL): It's very important for us as a group after all the hard work we have put in for this tournament. We didn't have a great preparation time but it has been intense. To win against India, the current world champions, is a feather in our cap. However, we've still got a very important game in two days time and if we don't win that game [against Sri Lanka], the win the other night won't matter.

DSS: The changes you have made in the batting-order, is it part of your grander plan for the team?

SL: I'm only reacting to what I see. There are no changes for getting people who you like. It's picking your team and players that you see quality in, not only on the field but off it as well. That's a massive part of international cricket these days, it's about everything else the player brings to the table.

I feel the group we got now is very hard working. They're willing and want to get out there and be the best they could possibly be. Hopefully it's a benchmark for the rest of the cricketers in the country.

DSS: What is your assessment of the Bangladesh cricketer's mental make-up?

SL: I've seen immense talent, just a matter of harnessing, utilising and practicing in a more beneficial way. I believe you can go out and hit balls for four hours a day and you can improve as a cricketer.

You have to practice for a purpose. Talking is a big part of learning. These boys have access to the greatest players in the world in this tournament. If I was them, I'd be picking someone's brains: guys like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Sachin Tendulkar. I've seen them from close quarters and they're more than willing to talk. That's the only issue I have with the Bangladesh cricket team: we don't play enough international cricket.

DSS: Is Stuart Law a strict coach?

SL: I like to say I'm hard but fair. I don't demand perfection because that's a bridge too far for anyone. I like to see things done with a purpose, understand time is precious. Don't waste it.

DSS: Are you happy with this batting group?

SL: They've all got the batting talent, it's the mentality and situations we get in is very excitable. Not just the players but the whole nation, something happens, we are on the brink of victory, we all get very excited. The blood-rush happens and we lose two wickets in three overs.

You can't control to an extent, I wish I could. If you kept calm and a level head in the dressing-room. You don't want to get too far ahead of yourself. That's part of the problem, the batting talent is there. In the first game, we didn't quite get there. In the second game, we got home that was great.

DSS: It was the first time that five players scored more than 40 runs in an ODI. Would you take it as a compliment?

SL: I'm only there to help. The players have to go out and do it themselves. That's a justification that they're starting to listen. It got us over the line but if one of them got a 100 and another got 80, it was an easy job. You can take all the satisfaction out of it, but a coach can't take all the credit. I'm big enough and played a lot of cricket to realise this.

DSS: Do you share playing experience with the guys?

SL: I share whatever the players want to talk about. I'm always open to conversation, especially to the younger guys. The older players feel they've played a lot of cricket. They don't really need to talk too much, but you still learn everyday in cricket. If you think you've got it, it will come back and bite you in the back. It's got that wonderful knack of doing that.

DSS: Was the atmosphere the other night different from what you've had in your time?

SL: (smiles) It is a good atmosphere when Bangladesh wins.

Last year I was there with Sri Lanka and we got beaten, so to be part of the team that beats the world champions, reverse the dose the other night and have our fans go berserk and seeing the people line the roads. We didn't get home till midnight. It was something that I wanted to take in.

DSS: Have you shared it with your family?

SL: I've had text messages from friends and family. It's nice to know they're thinking I'm not out here wasting my time!

DSS: What are your plans for the game after the one against India, when the Tigers usually fall apart after a big win?

SL: It's very difficult. I know everyone gets involved: sweets were sent by the Prime Minister, a cake sent by the President. That's all very nice and I thank them for their support and passion for the cricket team. I wish it happened at the end of the tournament.

As I said earlier in this interview, we played very well to win a game. If we don't win the next one, the other night means nothing. We've got the chance to make the Asia Cup final for the first time. That'll be one giant step for Bangladesh cricket. I'm just trying to tell the boys, 'Yesterday was fantastic but it means nothing; we've got to win the game against Sri Lanka and get to the final'. After the Asia Cup, we can celebrate and look back at fond memories.

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You can take all the satisfaction out of it, but a coach can't take all the credit. I'm big enough and played a lot of cricket to realise this.

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