Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo said on Friday (February 21) that he's familiar working in an ecosystem where cricket and administration intersect, reports Cricbuzz. He said that close on the heels of Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan telling the media that he's asked the team management to keep him updated on details like playing XI and batting order.
For any head coach working for the first time in Bangladesh's set-up, dealing with this level of interference from a board president can be nothing short of shocking. Domingo, though, insisted otherwise."Guys, remember I come from South Africa. A lot of trouble goes in there. It is not like I am coming from England or Australia where it's easy where you do what you want to. It is tough in South Africa as well. Selection is not easy," Domingo said.
"There's people with a lot of opinions and agendas. It is part of my job, and I have to deal with it. Make the most of it. The important thing for me is that I keep the players and the captains away from it. I have to be the in-between guy. It is a big role but I have done it before in South Africa."
Domingo had a similar experience working with Cricket South Africa during his tenure as the head coach and the instance of dropping Kyle Abbott in the 2015 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand and opting for Vernon Philander instead is still considered to be one of the most controversial decisions made by the Proteas.
Domingo insisted he has "not been officially told" to share team strategies with BCB president Nazmul Hasan despite the president telling the media otherwise. "Our coach, who is relatively new, wants to see the fast bowlers. But whatever happens, they have to let me know in advance," Nazmul had told the media on Wednesday.
When asked whether he's been informed anything by the BCB top-brass, Domingo denied right away."My dealings with the president [Nazmul] are very cordial. He wants the team to do really well. I haven't spoken to him yet," said Domingo. "I haven't been officially told about that [informing Nazmul of team strategies] that I need to tell anyone about the team. I am not under any impression that I need to do it, as yet. I am as passionate about the team as the president. I am paid a salary to make decisions and do my work."
Domingo added that he is looking forward to introducing a new Test culture and his first step includes playing two seam bowlers. Former head coach Chandika Hathurusingha invented the formula of studding their Test bowling line-up with all-out spinners to get the most from the low and slow wickets -- a strategy that came in handy against England in 2016.
"Winning is of paramount importance but we do need to develop a Test culture within the playing group. For Bangladesh to improve in Tests, we can't play on raging turners all the time. We pick one seamer, and then we go to India, South Africa or Australia, we wonder who our three seamers are because they haven't played any cricket. It is a fine balance. We know the strength of the team is playing on spinning wickets particularly when you play teams like Australia, New Zealand or South Africa," he said.
"We will probably go with two-seamers. I don't think it benefits our team playing just one seamer. Three seamers would have been perfect if we had a guy who could bat at No 7. Until Saifuddin is fit or we find the guy who can bat at No 7 and bowl 10-15 overs a day first, we will probably go with two-seamers," he concluded.