Now I've become a Tiger: Rhodes

There was an air of positivity at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium media centre on Wednesday afternoon, when Bangladesh cricket were about to open a new chapter with the first practice session under new head coach Steve Rhodes. 

It almost seemed like the recent 3-0 loss in a T20I series against Afghanistan was forgotten as there was not a single mention of the debacle during the coach's press conference. 

Much of that positivity stemmed from the coach himself, a former England cricketer who previously held coaching positions with Worcestershire, England Lions and a part-time assistant role with the England senior team. His appointment to the top job in Bangladesh cricket will mark a step up for him.

"It's a great opportunity for me personally. I cut my teeth in county cricket. I've been involved in the England Lions programmes and the England team when we came out to Bangladesh [in 2016]. I've done a long apprenticeship and I am looking forward to the challenge of international coaching. I am looking forward to working with elite international players and I think that the Bangladesh team have certainly got some excellent international players.

"More importantly for me, now I've become a Tiger -- I know that might be the headline for you guys. But I have played cricket for a long time and coached for a long time, but whatever team you are involved with you wholeheartedly put all your efforts into winning. If that's against England in a World Cup, that's fantastic. Now I think it's the right time for Steve Rhodes to become a Tiger."

If that came across as a crowd-pleaser, there seemed to be enough sincerity behind the sentiment. He seemed genuinely pleased not just to be the coach of an international team but to be in a country that shared his passion for the game. 

"I am really well aware of the passion and love for the game of cricket in Bangladesh," Rhodes said. "I understand the people. You are my kind of people because we all like cricket. I was here with England and saw the passion in the supporters. So I know the expectation for Bangladesh to do well is high. I will certainly be giving my all to try and achieve results which will take us into higher positions in the various competitions and the rankings.

"The passion I spoke to in Bangladesh cricket; that is my passion for being in the culture of Bangladesh cricket. I am delighted to be given this opportunity. I drive to the ground here this morning and see young kids playing on the streets -- I almost wanted to stop and get out and play with them. I know how much people love cricket in this country."

He will be in charge of the practice sessions over the next two days, after which the Tigers will depart for West Indies for a full tour, starting with a two-Test series from July 4. Although he admitted that he could only answer with authority about the team's true state and potential after a couple of weeks, he was positive about Bangladesh's aims for the tour. 

"If we get the teamwork right and the team feel right, then it gives us a better chance of being successful in the WIest Indies," a positive Rhodes said. "Cricket is a strange game... you win, you lose, often you play a great game and still lose. We will be trying to win the series; we don't go out there to come second. But you know the task is a difficult one... it's two Test matches. But if we can come out of the traps and start those Tests well, then there is no reason why we can't win."