Former Australian bowler Damien Wright named Bangladesh U-19 coach

Earlier today, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the appointment of former Tasmania seamer Damien Wright as the head coach of the Bangladesh U-19 team. The 41-year-old pacer who has a solid pedigree in coaching will be in charge of the squad till the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand next year. Wright also has a Cricket Australia Level 3 coaching license.

He made his first-class debut for Tasmania in 1997 and has also appeared for Australia A and played in the Scottish cricket team as their one permitted overseas player in 2002. He eventually retired from first-class cricket in 2011. Post-retirement, the veteran Aussie bowler has had coaching stints with the New Zealand national team, as well as in county for a series of clubs including Tasmania, Victoria, Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League.

Preparatory plans ahead of the World Cup

When asked about his preparations ahead of the world cup, Wright said, “We will hit the ground running in the build-up which will include a lot of scenario stuff. We will play some trial games. The guys look fit and strong. They look like they’ve been working really hard, which is great. I can see there are a number of wickets in our disposal, so we have no excuses,” according to ESPNcricinfo.

Wright, in his new role, will be assisted by Abdul Karim Jewel, who is currently in charge of the U-19 training camp being held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

“We are all in here to make sure we are improving slowly and peaking at the right time. I don’t want to peak right now, but certainly want to peak when we get to New Zealand,” Wright also added.

He is supposed to take a quick detour to Australia before arriving in Dhaka in July to oversee the side’s preparations, heading into the World Cup.