I developed as a batsman under Jamie Siddons, says Tamim Iqbal

After guiding Bangladesh to the Super 8 of ICC World Cup 2007, Dav Whatmore resigned from the post of the team’s head coach. After that, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) appointed former batting coach of Australia, Jamie Siddons for the role. He coached the side from 2007-2011 and helped a young talented Tamim Iqbal recognize his potential.

Recently in an interview, Tamim, Bangladesh’s most trusted opener and currently the highest run scorer in Tests and ODIs for Bangladesh, credited Siddons for the success he and the team have achieved over the years. Siddon’s distinctive coaching methods helped Tamim overcome his weaknesses and improvise on his strengths in order to become one of the best batsmen in the subcontinent right now.

“Under Jamie Siddons, I developed as a batsman between 2007 and 2010,” he said. “We always thought that working hard was doing gym, running, and improving fitness. Jamie changed that; he said that working hard isn’t just about running five or ten kilometres or spending hours in the gym.”

“He taught us that working hard can be in batting too. If a batsman goes to the nets and bowling machine, and starts playing cover drive or on the pads, it is easy practice. When a batsman tries to tackle deliveries in the rib area, that’s working hard. He changed this within us,” added the 28-year old, as reported by bdcrictime.

He started his career with a bang, scoring a defiant fifty against India in the 2007 World cup, which played a huge part in India’s early exit from the competition. However, it wasn’t always an easy climb up for him, particularly targeting his short temper and playing him into his weakness. With Siddons’ help, he was able to overcome that and now, Tamim is Bangladesh’s most reliable and consistent batsman.

In fact, Tamim’s most memorable run in Tests that included back to back centuries against England, and a century against West Indies and India each, being named Wisden Test player of the year in 2010, all came under the guidance of Siddons.