Domingo talks of changing Bangladesh's Test culture

Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo has talked about changing the Test culture of Bangladesh and especially how the team prepares and schedules Test matches while speaking during a press conference at Mirpur today.

The team finds themselves in a rut having lost all of their last six Test matches. Asked if their was a certain desperation to win the lone Test against Zimbabwe, set to commence tomorrow, Domingo reiterated that winning is always the most important objective but he would like to try and change the Test culture as well.

"Winning is of paramount importance. We do need to develop a Test culture. The way we go about our preparations and schedule Test matches. I am going into this Test as a coach more confident because we've been together four to five days. I've never had Tests where we have flown in to place, practice a day and then play a Test match. The next schedule in Pakistan, we fly in, play a one-dayer, practice for a day and then play a Test match. So, no serious Test team has scheduling like that and we've got to try and change that. It's a cultural thing and we need to put a lot more attention on Test matches," he said.

Bangladesh had awkward scheduling for Tests in the India tour as well where the lack of preparation was a key factor in them failing to understand their opponents' motives and it resulted in not being able to come up with countermeasures. Domingo had a message for media and fans where he touched upon the team's inexperience and asked everyone for a bit of patience at the end of the press conference.

"Cricket's mad in Bangladesh and the media tension and it's unbelievable. The team can't do without it and it's what keeps the team going. But people got to understand, if we look at the Test team, Shanto playing his second Test, Saif also his second Test, Rahi looks like he has played 14 but has only played seven. Ebadot's playing his fourth. So it's a very inexperienced Test eleven. We've got a captain who has captained against India and Pakistan. The rest of the captains have got fast bowlers who have played for example a 150 Tests for England (James Anderson). Stuart Broad has played 140, Rabada has played 50, Filander has 70. Stark played 60. What I am trying to say is the media has got to be patient with the players, like the selectors have got to be patient with certain players. With teams I have coached, this is the most inexperienced Test team in the world in terms of number of Test caps.

"If you expect them to compete with India and Pakistan after one day's practice then it's very different.

So be patient with the boys because they are trying extremely hard. The support of the public and the media means a great deal to them. We need to play better and they know that but it needs a bit of time to compete with opposition of that stature. Please be patient and they will make you proud but they need just a bit of time," he said.