Gary Kirsten likely to be roped in as a consultant by the Bangladesh team

Past few months haven’t transpired well for the Bangladesh cricket including that loss in the final of the Nidahas Trophy. Now the board is set to revamp the entire coaching staff after the sudden exit of head coach Chandika Hathurusingha and the departure of Assistant coach Richard Halsall. To do so, BCB is in constant talks with former South African Gary Kirsten to adorn the role as a consultant with the team.

However, as per the reports, Gary Kirsten hasn’t locked any deal so far on his availability to work as a consultant with the team. He is currently busy with his stint of head coach with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and is expected to get in touch with BCB soon after.

Hasn’t finalized the deal yet

According to the Board director, Jalal Yunus, Gary was considered for the role given his successful coaching stints with the international teams in the past. The plans to rope in Kirsten has already been mentioned by the BCB president. “We are awaiting his response after the IPL. He is being considered as the team consultant, although we haven’t finalised anything with him. We are waiting on him to do a final agreement with us after IPL. Let’s see how it goes, ” he mentioned.

If the director is to believe, his role won’t be confined to the national team as they plan to get his inputs on the entire infrastructure including the Under-19s and Bangladesh A team. “He will work not only with the men’s senior team, he will work with the Under-19s, Bangladesh A team and the rest of the structure. He will be with us as a full-time, long-term consultant. If he agrees, we will hold talks here,” he added, “he was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

Will appoint the head coach

BCB has some unique plans with Kirsten having a pre-defined role of a consultant who will not be seen always on the field as he would take part in the advisory process. His stint remains to be on a long-term basis but the national team would definitely be accompanied by the head coach and the fielding coach to fill in the voids left in the coaching staff.

“Head coach is a must,” Yunus said. “Gary Kirsten won’t be in the field all the time. He will give us ideas about the infrastructure. He will have an advisory role. There will definitely be a head coach and other coaching staff.”

Earlier, “We wanted Neil Mckenzie as our batting consultant but that hasn’t worked out,” Yunus said. “He remains under consideration but, at the same time, we are also looking elsewhere. We also need a fielding coach for which we are looking for a foreign recruit,” Yunus concluded.