‘Want players to return hungrier than ever’

The Daily Star (TDS): How are you spending your time back home?

Neil McKenzie (NM): It is an unprecedented situation. Yes we all love sports and cricket but nothing is happening at the moment. But we just have to look at the bigger picture. A lot of people are losing their lives and livelihoods which is obviously a dreadful and frustrated period to be in. We have been in lockdown for over a month now. But I am just trying to look at the positives now. I think it is now time to reflect on your life, time to be with your family, time to check on friends and time just to reflect on who you are in your life and what you want to achieve or what you have achieved. It is not easy being confined but the positive thing is that we are with our family. It is actually time to do things as a family, contact with friends. In this era it is very easy to keep in contact as we have videocalls, Zoom calls, Whatsapp. And let's just hope that the vaccine for this virus is found soon and we can go back to normality.

TDS: Do you feel it has been too long without cricketing activities, especially for the cricketers and supporting staff?

NM: Yes, it has been too long. Rugby, soccer, golf, tennis, cricket and whatever it is; it is very hard to find on TV at the moment. I think in normal times, the breakaway from reality for people is sports. In Bangladesh, people are mad about cricket. It gives them a break from the normal and routined life. But that is not the bigger picture here. As much as we want cricket in our life, we would not want to see more people die and suffer.

It is not an ideal situation. I can feel for the players. As coaches, we are jumping at our bit to help the players. We have tried a lot of things, we have sent out a lot of fitness requirements, some programs for players to keep strong. It is a frustrating time for players. Especially for these young and fit athletes who want to be out there showcasing their talents and instead they are cooped indoors. But as I said, the situation can be a lot worse. So, our challenge as coaches is just to try and keep them fit physically and more importantly the mental side too at this time. I think it is time for all the players to reflect on their careers, reflect if they are happy with where they are at the moment, and what they want to change. And when lockdown eventually is over, I want all the players to return hungrier than ever.

TDS: What can be the impact on a batsman when he is not amidst preparation for long time?

NM: I think it is not easy for anybody, be it bowlers or batsmen. When it is all over, I think they will just get back to it [playing]. It is like riding a bike -- you just get back on it. I want the players to be more hungry than before when they finally get back to the field. I think we will see some hungry sportsmen around the world coming back with a new vigour and a new realisation that you cannot take life for granted.

TDS: Have you maintained any communication with prominent Bangladesh batsmen like Tamim Iqbal or Liton Das? What is your advice to them?

NM: There has been communication but not with everybody individually. As a group and as a team the coaches have been in contact with each other just to discuss where we want to take the team. We and the medical staff have put together certain programmes for the players to follow. We use Shrini [Shrinivas Chandrasekaran] a lot who is obviously our video analyst. Players have got access to their footage and other people's footage and to whatever they really want. And I think it is just more of a self-reflection at the moment for players. But obviously if a player needs me then just gives me a phone call or sends me a video or asks me what they think and obviously I reply. And if I have got some information to add on to any of the players then I just pass it on. Hopefully when they come back they will have questions about not only how to be good but also about how they can be world class.

TDS: Ireland tour and Australia series have been suspended recently. How frustrating is this for you?

NM: It is frustrating for the coaches but it is more frustrating for the players. As for matches against Australia, you always want to match your skills against the best in the world. Australia are one of the bests in the world, so it would have been a great series. Ireland trip is always quality. It is sort of an opportunity for the players to tour the world and see what is out there. So yes, opportunity is missed but to be honest you cannot control it.

TDS: Do you have any new findings about Bangladesh batsmen? What can they improve and how can they prepare themselves while they are stuck at home?

NM: I think we have identified with the Bangladesh players in whole in terms of where we see the opportunities in the ODI format, T20 format. For us coaches it is just role clarification. It is to let the players know what is expected of him, what he can deliver. There is a lot of competition for players in the Bangladesh side. There are a lot talented seniors, youngsters and a lot of players coming through now. We just hope that someone jumps up like Liton Das has done in the last series and pushes the standards really high. Hope that the players come back with a clear mind knowing how they are going to take their game forward and thrive, not just to be a good Bangladesh player but to be a great world class player.