Wright takes charge of U-19 ambitions

Bangladesh has a long-cherished dream to reach the pinnacle in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup and they hired Australian Damien Wright to fulfil that dream in the next mega event to be held in New Zealand from January 12 to February 4, 2018.

The new Bangladesh Under-19 head coach, a former pace bowler who played first-class cricket before embarking on a coaching career in 2011, has bracketed his new charges as 'a terrific bunch of kids' after spending some time with them at Mirpur yesterday.

Since taking part in the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 1998, Bangladesh achieved their best position in the last edition when they finished third at home last year and Wright said yesterday that they want to make sure they have a good tournament this time.

“At this stage it is a six- to eight-month plan leading up to the U-19 World Cup. I want to make sure they have a good tournament. It is about performing as well as we can in the build-up to the World Cup,” said Wright, a former bowling coach of the New Zealand team, when asked about his goal.

 “I am really privileged to be here. It is my first time in Bangladesh despite having played 20-odd years. I met the guys just 5-10 minutes ago. We had a chat -- they are a terrific bunch of kids. I am looking forward to working with them. I want them [players] to aspire to be the next best. It is what excites me,” said the 41-year-old Australian, who has been appointed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) till the end of their campaign in the Under-19 World Cup.

“You have to adapt to the conditions. We have to do it quickly, as senior players do. We have to make sure that these guys are exposed to those conditions going into the World Cup. We want to make sure we are really prepared,” he said, adding that he will return home and come back around July.