Fast Track Players

[Ian Pont]

Having now spent a while in Bangladesh and following the BPL successes (and failures) of some of the senior players and new kids, I have a suggestion.

I feel the emerging players we saw (such as Moniul, Anamul etc) could be invited into an Emerging Player Group (EPG) singled out for special coaching and attention. This can be done in Bangladesh or here in the UK, under the supervision of specialised coaches with the time access to those players.

This EPG would be far, far higher than the existing GP Academy and basically 'train' all the players in the skills and mental aspects, expectations and cricket abilities they need to be a success - as we would prepare a highly skilled English player.

I don't currently see the Academy or the A team (which was a complete farce this winter) as a finishing school for any players. Just giving a player access to higher levels of cricket doesn't make them better, because if they fail they also need to know how to put that right and learn.

My view is that there needs to be a professional, highly-skilled learning environment. I don't see that at the moment. So let's make one.

[Zunaid]

Are you suggesting something like the High Performance Cricket program that Bangladesh had for a bit but is now defunct?

[Ian Pont]

Originally Posted by Zunaid
Are you suggesting something like the High Performance Cricket program that Bangladesh had for a bit but is now defunct?

An emerging player group. England has one. They train and fast track players outside of the existing systems. I was involved with one of them that Broad and Finn came through on.

The EPG travels overseas, gets training in other countries and also is a feeder into the A teams and Test sides. It is not the same as an Academy. These are short, sharp camps, workshops and development trips - not a full-time Academy or HP Program.

Whatever it is called is irrelevant. What is important is that whoever runs it has the finances, understanding and freedom to fully develop those players who are selected.

[Jadukor]

BCB now has the money to put something like this in place. I would love to see not just emerging batsman but pace bowlers in a program like this as well. Tired of seeing Slow Left Arm bowlers all the time... we need pace bowlers and leg spinners in our attack.

[FaHiMa]

^ I agree.

[Shaan]

Originally Posted by Jadukor
BCB now has the money to put something like this in place. I would love to see not just emerging batsman but pace bowlers in a program like this as well. Tired of seeing Slow Left Arm bowlers all the time... we need pace bowlers and leg spinners in our attack.

I second you. Good suggestion by Ian, now we hope that BCB can really have deep thought regarding such initiatives..

[jeesh]

Great suggestion coach. We are good at Under 19 level. At that age they might even be better in terms of skill and ability compared to their peers in more developed countries. But as they grow older they stay where they were (sometimes get worse), while players from other countries blossom thanks to their coaching and first class system.

Since we still dont have a solid first class system, a system like what you suggest is likely to assist our players. BCB's high performance unit also was successful producing guys like Shakib.

Besides something like this i am hoping we can get a permanent pace academy like India has. And it would be a dream to see Mr. Ian Pont heading it.

[F6_Turbo]

Good suggestion Ian - just a question at random, I know you're no longer involved with the national team, but have you caught up with Stuart Law at all in the recent past?

Have you tried pitching an idea like this to him, or has he mentioned something like this to the board? Not asking you to divulge private conversations you may or may not have had...just wondering.

Truth be told, I've given up on this generation of national team players - Shakib will be known as the lone warrior who kept Bangladesh respectable, while the rest floundered around hopelessly like fish out of water (with the exception of the odd performance here and there by the rest). But suggestions like yours, would ensure the next generation of Bangladeshi cricketers are better equipped to handle the rigors of international standard cricket.

The time to act is now...otherwise we'll have another decade of mediocrity and disappointment, with fans asking the same questions defeat and defeat.

[Dilscoop]

^ Bangali and their left hands and big noses.

This question keeps coming up. And Ian over and over again mentioned why would he go over there and tell Law how to do his job? Ian has no business over there. Because he loves us so much he visits BC and posts here. That's as far as he can go.

[F6_Turbo]

Originally Posted by Dilscoop
^ Bangali and their left hands and big noses.

This question keeps coming up. And Ian over and over again mentioned why would he go over there and tell Law how to do his job? Ian has no business over there. Because he loves us so much he visits BC and posts here. That's as far as he can go.

He was here in Dhaka for close to a month. Not a lot to do in Dhaka...you think it that strange that two coaches(one current, and one ex) in a foreign country, tied by one bond, Bangladesh Cricket, wouldn't or couldn't have a little chat...just bounce some ideas across each other, over a beer or two? This isn't some formal meeting...hell they could have had an exchange of ideas over a bbq for Gods Sake.

Ian -hey...Stu...how's the job going?

Stu - oh yeah...alright mate...bit tougher than I thought, the players are piss poor, the media are bloodsucking vampires, and the fans...talk about armchair critics. But yeah, mate...can't complain, just trying to sort out some of the long term issues...you know how it is

Ian - tell me about it...lots of big slogans, but they never actually carry anything out, tough ask...but you gotta just remain patient, and keep plugging away

Stu - Some of the younger lads have a ton of talent and potential, just a case of trying to harness that talent and turn it into potential.

Ian - yeah about that.....


Talking to someone, doesn't mean you're telling them how to do their job! I wasn't asking Ian if he had presented a plan of action for Stuart Law to adhere to...merely, if he had spoken to him at all since Law took the job.





And seeing as how you made a generalization about Bangalis, how about another one....Jumping to conclusions, and making a mountain out of a molehill.

[Dilscoop]

You should write a play

[Ian Pont]

Originally Posted by F6_Turbo
Good suggestion Ian - just a question at random, I know you're no longer involved with the national team, but have you caught up with Stuart Law at all in the recent past?

Have you tried pitching an idea like this to him, or has he mentioned something like this to the board? Not asking you to divulge private conversations you may or may not have had...just wondering.

Truth be told, I've given up on this generation of national team players - Shakib will be known as the lone warrior who kept Bangladesh respectable, while the rest floundered around hopelessly like fish out of water (with the exception of the odd performance here and there by the rest). But suggestions like yours, would ensure the next generation of Bangladeshi cricketers are better equipped to handle the rigors of international standard cricket.

The time to act is now...otherwise we'll have another decade of mediocrity and disappointment, with fans asking the same questions defeat and defeat.

With regard to Stuart, I don't think it is his remit to worry about anything other than the performances of the national team. Even if he felt the same as I do (and I don't know if he does) then I am not sure he would spend his energies on that. So this has to come from the BCB itself as an initiative.

With regard to doing something like this as an idea, it simply has to be funded and implemented correctly. Unlike FC cricket structures that will take years to correct, 15 or 16 players could be benefitting now from ideas like this. They will then of course improve FC cricket as they get better. So everybody wins.

It's not rocket science and people with better brains than me can get it going.

[tiger_army]

Originally Posted by Dilscoop
You should write a play

lol...it was funny though

[BengaliPagol]

Hey Coach maybe you could run an academy that is specialised for young Bangladeshi players. Maybe you can nurture them and travel with them around the world to verse teams such as England A or South Africa A.

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[Nadim]

Bcb already know what they need to do to improve our cricket. But they r too busy filling up their pockets...

[shuziburo]

This is an excellent suggestion. We have a crop of 5-6 players who have the potential to be international stars. But, we could lose them unless they are brought up properly. By the time our FC cricket structure has improved enough, they might have flamed out. (Shakib is a special case who improved despite the lack of resources. Even he has lacked in one area---his batting has not improved much to correct any weakness in the last 3-4 years.)

The million-dollar question is, who will bell the cat? The Board is too busy with other stuff.

[fuadomar]

Hi Ian, Nice idea. Can you please provide an idea of how much money needed to run such thing for 1 year with 14 players?

[roman]

Originally Posted by nadim 98
Bcb already know what they need to do to improve our cricket. But they r too busy filling up their pockets...

And thats the bottom line. I am sure BCB has received several invitations like this before but they were too busy to take an action.

But I must salute Mr. Ian for his continuous support and interest in BD cricket. Thats rare..

[Ian Pont]

Originally Posted by fuadomar
Hi Ian, Nice idea. Can you please provide an idea of how much money needed to run such thing for 1 year with 14 players?

Rather than working out the cost, let's work out the value.

What would people invest to have 4-5 new "Shakib's, Tamim's or Mashrafe's" with a professional mindset and fully-skilled to compete with the very best? Out of a group of 15-18 identified players you would look for 4-5 to come through very strongly, if not more.

The BCB is getting 44 million US dollars for the BPL rights. Is it worth investing 10%, 5%, 2% of that into an annual scheme like this? You can always build something to suit the investment. The more invested, the better, deeper and more effective the results.

It depends what you feel is important in Bangladesh Cricket. If like me, you feel it's important to train and develop talent correctly, then no amount of money, however large or small, is ever a waste

[lamisa]

brilliant idea coach!

[TigerEz]

nice one coach but the thign is bcb doesnt hear us...so we are basically wasting our breaths

[fuadomar]

Originally Posted by Ian Pont
Rather than working out the cost, let's work out the value.

What would people invest to have 4-5 new "Shakib's, Tamim's or Mashrafe's" with a professional mindset and fully-skilled to compete with the very best? Out of a group of 15-18 identified players you would look for 4-5 to come through very strongly, if not more.

The BCB is getting 44 million US dollars for the BPL rights. Is it worth investing 10%, 5%, 2% of that into an annual scheme like this? You can always build something to suit the investment. The more invested, the better, deeper and more effective the results.

It depends what you feel is important in Bangladesh Cricket. If like me, you feel it's important to train and develop talent correctly, then no amount of money, however large or small, is ever a waste

Ian, fully agree with you. But, at times, to convince a bureaucratic organization like BCB is time consuming and painful. I was wondering, whether a group of individuals can afford it. That is why I asked, never mind

[Gowza]

something many of us have thought of as a must for years. it's pretty basic, higher level should equal higher level of coaching so as the players move up the levels they are getting better coaching and are becoming more equipped to succeed at the highest level of them all.

alot of the test nations do this. pretty sure there is an emerging players tournment every year which includes countries like india, australia etc. and of course australia has there centre of excellence. BD NEED to this this, if they don't they are already behind the 8 ball (and they already are as it is).

[Ian Pont]

Originally Posted by fuadomar
Ian, fully agree with you. But, at times, to convince a bureaucratic organization like BCB is time consuming and painful. I was wondering, whether a group of individuals can afford it. That is why I asked, never mind

Tommy Miah is building a private academy in Sykhet as you know, so individuals do have the money to do something. I am talking about developing existing talent to International and world class standards so if there are business people who want to do that then I would love to hear from them...

[playmaker]

just give our pace bowlers 3-4 years training, theyll be as good as top class