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Bangladesh coach sees potential in team

'My vision is long-term' - Siddons

Cricinfo staff

January 15, 2008

	Jamie Siddons: "The potential of our opening combination of Tamim Iqbal and Junaid Siddique is pretty enormous as well" © Getty Images

Jamie Siddons, the Bangladesh coach, has said the team's stunted progress in Tests is because of the previous team management's short-term goals.

"I think we've had a short-term vision, trying to win games as we go," Siddons told tigercricket.com. "I think my vision is more long-term with young players brought in purely on skill and talent, which have been identified."

Bangladesh had a miserable tour of New Zealand, losing all three one-dayers and then being beaten inside three days in the two Tests. "We've got a great group at the moment but I'm sure there are a couple of players who need to be looked at back home."

Siddons said the team had potential which would be visible in three to four months. "The potential of our opening bowlers Mashrafe [Mortaza] and Shahadat [Hossain] is enormous. The potential of our opening combination of Tamim [Iqbal] and Junaid [Siddique] is pretty enormous as well."

However, Siddons said Bangladesh's development into a competitive side would take a while. "I have to say two years as my contract is for that period but it may even take longer to reach the level where we can compete properly with New Zealand in New Zealand, which is a tough ask for any international cricket team."

What was important, Siddons said, was that the current squad stay together along with the support staff he had picked out. "They [the team] need to travel with the coaching staff I have chosen which I think is supposedly the best coaching staff around in Bangladesh. I'd love this 15 to stay together as long as we can."

Meanwhile, Tamim, who broke his thumb while fielding during the second Test in Wellington, was asked to put a splinter on the injury. "The splinter would come off in two to three weeks and an x-ray will be done after that," Darryn Lifson, the Bangladesh physio, said. "Based on the report we'll have an idea about when he can start training."

© Cricinfo