Siddons opts for tried & tested ones

August 18, 2010

A big cricket season is upon the Bangladesh national team, and it is no different for Tigers coach Jamie Siddons, who returned on Monday from a short vacation. The 46-year-old Australian will have his hands full for the next six months, culminating in the 2011 World Cup, his first as a head coach. Siddons talked to The Daily Star Sport yesterday about his plans for the grand event, his biggest test since taking over as the Tigers coach in October 2007.

Daily Star Sport (DSS): How was your holiday? Has it been a refreshing change after two years of non-stop cricket?

Jamie Siddons (JS): Our holiday was great. We got the chance to visit our families and also spent time on the beach relaxing. Yes it has been a very hectic schedule recently and all of the players and staff were exhausted by the time we got back from England.

DSS: Are you geared up for the World Cup, it being your first ever as a head coach?

JS: I have had the World Cup in the back of my mind now for two years but I am always true to my philosophy that the best skilled players win games and that is why I always coach with the plan to improve each individual in their skills and game plans on a daily basis.

You must remain focused on the present but the World Cup is always a good tournament to aim your sights on and to judge your team and it’s progress on.

DSS: Is six months good enough time to prepare for a tournament like the World Cup? What is the ideal number of players that you would like to work with ahead of the tournament?

JS: You don’t just plan for the World Cup in six months — it is ongoing. Most teams will spend the majority of their planning on how they will cope in the conditions be it the weather or the wickets, we are playing this World Cup at home so do not have to worry about those things as we know and are used to them.

There are any number of things that can happen in the lead up so you need some back up players that you know have done the work required to contribute in the World Cup if they are required. I think there is no magic number but if you have too many then the important players get less time with their skills and the coaches so this is not ideal.

DSS: Do you have a potential 15-man squad in mind?

JS: The squad that I have worked with for the last 12 months would give us our best chance for success without a doubt, I would be reluctant to put faith in players who have not been with us through all the experiences we have had.

DSS: Would you focus on skills or individuals?

JS: I always focus on the individual and his skill requirements. They go hand in hand to give a player the confidence he requires to perform in a big game.

DSS: You have potentially 10 ODIs ahead of the World Cup. Do you prefer a long training camp or one-day matches ahead of such a tournament?

JS: We have a busy schedule of domestic and international games this summer so we must be careful to have a balance between camps and quality matches and also be careful not to injure or burn out our players before the World Cup begins.

We will combine our practice with domestic matches and also have camps of intense preparation.

DSS: You will be provided a new coaching staff that includes Lance Klusener (bowling coach) and Julian Fountain (fielding coach). Has the BCB discussed these recent changes with you?

JS: I have been involved in the discussions but not in negotiations with the possible new coaches and am looking forward to the possibilities of working with them.

DSS: Would you still prefer Salahuddin as part of the support staff?

JS: Salahuddin has developed into a very good coach through his experience with the national team and is perfectly placed in the Academy programme. I would not pigeonhole him and say he was or is just a fielding coach though.

He is also our best batting coach and should be working as batting mentor with our juniors and Academy (players).

DSS: Where do you want to see the Bangladesh team ahead of the World Cup?

JS: Look, the team has made massive inroads with their batting and also have had some good bowling efforts, but we know we need to do all things better if we wish to go far in this World Cup.

Let’s just say I want us playing consistent, aggre-ssive intelligent cricket that gives us a chance to win every game we play between now and then.

Siddons opts for tried & tested ones

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