Tait wishes to work as Tigers fast bowling coach

Former Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait is interested to work as Bangladesh cricket team fast bowling coach if there is an opportunity.

The 38-year old is currently in Dhaka working for Chattogram Challengers in the upcoming eighth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20. Tait expressed interest to be part of the Bangladesh coaching panel with the Bangladesh Cricket Board looking for a replacement to Ottis Gibson. Former West Indies fast bowler Gibson decided not to continue as the Bangladesh pace bowling coach after completing his two-year service. Gibson, since quitting the Bangladesh job, was first announced as member of the coaching panel of Pakistan Super League side Mutan Sultans before English County Cricket Club Yorkshire appointed him as the head coach for next three years. “I’m interested for sure,” said Tait in the sidelines of the Chattogram practice session at BCB Academy Ground in Mirpur Wednesday. “Absolutely. They [BCB] have got some time to think about who they are going to go with. It’ll be a great job,” the former right-arm speedster added. Tait, who played 59 internationals for Australia, informed that he regularly follows Bangladesh cricket and praised the team’s performance in the recent tour of New Zealand for a two-match Test series. “That tour was good for Bangladesh and him (Shariful Islam), he attacks, bowls at the stumps. You can see he is enthusiastic and loves what he is doing. From afar what I have seen, he has got a great attitude towards fast bowling,” said Tait.

"In general, the stages Bangladesh cricket are in, there are so many good young players. They could become great players. Shariful is an aggressive left-arm bowler. He is going to be extremely important in this team. He has played enough cricket now to know what he is doing. So, I’m looking forward to working with him. Bangladesh have got quite a decent depth of young players, even fast bowlers. The next five-six-seven years are going to be exciting for cricket here in Bangladesh,” said the former Aussie cricketer. Speaking of his role for Chattogram, Tait said he first needs to know and understand the players and work particularly on death bowling. “At first, even at (Tuesday) training, getting to know the bowlers, that’s my job. I want to keep things as clear and simple as possible. For me, I love talking about death bowling. Especially here, in this stadium, I think it’s really important. Those last four-five overs for us, are going to be extremely important. Any strategy I can talk about is keeping things simple and disciplined throughout the tournament. And not veering away from our strategy, keep simple and clear plans,” Tait explained. The special edition of BPL is set to begin Friday at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Chattogram will take on Fortune Barishal in the opening game of the tournament. In the evening match, Khulna Tigers are scheduled to lock horns with Minister Group Dhaka.

Shoriful has got a great attitude towards fast bowling

Former Australia pacer Shaun Tait was impressed with the way Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam has fared in recent games and hailed the young left-arm pacer's attitude towards fast bowling.  "It will be interesting to work with him [Shoriful]. But from afar, it seems like he has got a great attitude towards fast bowling," said Tait, who joined Chattogram Challengers as their pace bowling coach for the upcoming Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), set to begin from January 21.  Tait is yet to work with Shoriful, who will play for the Challengers in this BPL. Shoriful is not an express fast bowler like Tait was during his playing days. But his aggression still caught the eye of Tait, one of only three pacers to have clocked over 160kmph.  Shoriful was an integral cog in Bangladesh's historic Test win against New Zealand earlier this month. He was the one who gave the Tigers the initial momentum with his three for 69 in the first innings of the first Test at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.