The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday announced the appointment of celebrated former West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh as the national team's new bowling coach. According to a BCB press release, the former West Indies captain's stint with the Tigers became effective from 1 September 2016 and will continue till the 2019 50-over World Cup in England.

Walsh is expected to reach Dhaka within the first week of this month to begin work with Bangladesh's bowlers ahead of their home Test and ODI series against England in October.

“I am thrilled to be joining the BCB as their specialist bowling coach.  I am really looking forward to getting started with the group,” the 53-year-old Jamaican was quoted as saying by the press release. Walsh replaces former Zimbabwe all-rounder Heath Streak, who occupied the role for two years leading up to this May.

“Having watched Bangladesh cricket from afar over the years, they are a seriously talented bunch of players.  Chandika Hathurusingha has done a wonderful job thus far as head coach so hopefully I can complement his skills and continue the positive progress.

“I have loved my time working as a selector for the West Indies Cricket Board and I would like to thank them for giving me that opportunity.  Obviously the West Indies is my home but the chance to go in a new direction on the coaching front and with such a talented group, was one I couldn't look past.”

Walsh ended his career as the then highest Test wicket-taker with 519 scalps. He has since performed a variety of roles including coaching , especially with fast bowlers. He has managed the West Indies U-19 side and has also been a bowling consultant for Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League. Most recently, he was a selector of the West Indies Cricket Board.

Walsh's career for West Indies began in November 1984 and ended in April 2001, taking in 132 Tests and 205 ODIs in between. He started out as a back-up fast bowler for West Indies' fearsome pace attack of the 1980s, supporting the likes of Malcolm Marshall and Curtly Ambrose. Endurance mixed with pace and bounce was his hallmark, and from the 1990s onwards Walsh formed a deadly partnership with Ambrose which realised 421 wickets from 49 Tests. 

With Bangladesh's recent upsurge in fast bowling ability, Walsh's appointment is seen as a step in the right direction and has been welcomed by the likes of limited-overs skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.

BCB CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said Walsh's vast experience will be a valuable addition to a growing team: “We are delighted to have Courtney in our ranks. He is a role model to millions and his fast bowling knowledge is second to none. Bangladesh cricket at present is going through the best pace bowling phase in our history and Courtney's involvement I am sure will take it to greater heights.'

WALSH FACT

* Stint as Bangladesh's bowling coach: September 2016 – 2019 World Cup

* Played 132 Tests and 205 ODIs for West Indies between November 1984 and April 2001

* Highest Test wicket-taker for West Indies with 519

* Together with Curtly Ambrose took 421 wickets in 49 Tests

* Most balls (30,019) bowled by a fast bowler in Tests

* Has the most ducks (43) in Test history