Bangladesh Hires Power-Hitting Coach Julian Wood Ahead of Asia Cup

Bangladesh is set to welcome renowned power-hitting coach Julian Wood to their setup in August. This move aims to bolster their batting prowess in preparation for the T20 Asia Cup, scheduled to commence on September 9 in the UAE.

Julian Wood has previously worked with the Chattogram Challengers in the BPL © BCB

Julian Wood's previous experience in the Bangladesh Premier League makes him a valuable asset.

The national cricketers of Bangladesh, currently on a break, will resume training for the Asia Cup on August 6 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Wood, recognized for his contribution to England's white-ball cricket transformation through power-hitting techniques, is expected to arrive before the training camp begins. He will be guiding the players for a three-week period.

A high-ranking official from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed to Cricbuzz on Saturday, "We are hoping that he will arrive before the start of camp scheduled ahead of the Asia Cup."

Wood, who previously collaborated with Bangladeshi cricketers while coaching the Chattogram Challengers in the Bangladesh Premier League, shared his perspective with this website.

"Yeah, I'm talking to Simmo (Phil Simmons). Basically, I'm there for three weeks in August. That's what I've heard, but it's not confirmed yet. But it's more than likely. You obviously spoke to BCB," Wood stated.

"In August, yeah (will be reaching Dhaka) prior to the Asia Cup. Don't know (after Asia Cup) as it depends on them (BCB) I suppose," he added.

Wood emphasized the existing talent within the Bangladesh cricket team: "I think the key for me is there's a lot of talent there. They've always had talent. When it comes to white ball cricket, striking the ball is obviously a major part of the game now."

He further explained his role: "It (my job) will be to give them information and the key thing is how to use their power, how to generate their power and use that power more efficiently."

Expressing his enthusiasm, Wood said, "I'm really looking forward to these three weeks because I've got history there. And they've talked about this for a while now."

"I reckon, they talked about this for the last three to four years. Nothing's really happened, but it's happening now, I'm happy," he concluded.

In addition to securing a power-hitting coach, a BCB official revealed plans to appoint a sports psychologist to support the cricketers' mental well-being.

"We are hoping to bring a sports psychologist and along with them we are eyeing to include some local psychologist so that they can learn from him as well as help our cricketers with the language as it can be a barrier," the official stated.

Reportedly, David Scott, who formerly worked with the High Performance Unit of Bangladesh, is the likely candidate for the sports psychologist position.

Scott's expertise lies in sport and exercise psychology, and he has consulted with numerous government departments and private companies, along with sports teams and organizations.

In related news, the BCB is reportedly in discussions with several international teams, including Nepal and the Netherlands, to arrange a bilateral series as preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup in September.

BCB cricket operation chairman Najmul Abedin told reporters on Saturday, "India were supposed to come to Bangladesh. We were counting on that. We thought we would go to the Asia Cup after playing India at home. Since they are not coming at the moment, we are trying to get another country to come to Bangladesh. Other leading countries are busy with their schedules. We are trying beyond that. It could be Nepal or the Netherlands."

"If we don't get foreign teams, from now on, we are thinking of playing a series with the next possible best team - it will be compulsory. That way, the national team will prepare well. More importantly, those who are close to the national team will also face good competition. But at the moment, our first priority is to bring in a foreign team," he said.