Bangladesh’s newly-appointed head coach, Phil Simmons, on Saturday emphasized his commitment to steering the team’s focus back to cricket amidst a whirlwind of controversies, as they gear up to face South Africa in a significant two-match Test series. Scheduled to kick off at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from October 21, the series presents an opportunity for Simmons to prove his mettle in the face of adversity.
Simmons arrives at a critical juncture in Bangladeshi cricket, having assumed the head coach role following the controversial exit of Chandika Hathurasingha. Adding to the complexity of this period, key player Shakib Al Hasan’s unavailability for home games has further shifted attention away from on-field performances to off-field drama.
Addressing the media at his inaugural press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday, Simmons underscored his determination to eliminate distractions and sharpen the team’s focus on cricket. “Our primary task over the next few days is to ensure that the spotlight remains on the game itself, rather than the surrounding noise. We intend to control our preparations for Monday’s match, making them the focal point,” Simmons stated.
Highlighting the upcoming Test match as a crucial step in their journey, Simmons pointed out that winning their forthcoming Tests could place Bangladesh in the running for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. “My immediate concern is cricket and preparing the squad for Monday. The last two days of training have been exceptional. The goal is to bypass the ongoing confusions and concentrate solely on getting ready for the match,” he added.
Simmons, marking his tenure as the second West Indian head coach of Bangladesh after Gordon Greenidge, expressed confidence that his previous coaching stints with Ireland and Afghanistan would provide valuable insights in his current role. “The experiences gained from these assignments, such as navigating language barriers with Afghanistan and youth development with Ireland, will be beneficial. At the end of the day, I must leverage all these insights in guiding the team,” he remarked.
Simmons philosophy revolves heavily around hard work and preparation translating into match success. “In the past couple of days, I have witnessed the team’s diligence in honing their skills and fitness. Their dedication over just two days has been impressive,” he observed.
Reflecting on his earlier interaction with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in 2018 when he had been interviewed for the head coach position but missed out, Simmons expressed his enthusiasm about finally assuming the role.
. “The interest stems from seeing the potential and quality of the young players. Despite some setbacks in the T20 matches against India, they performed admirably against Pakistan. Coaching here is an assignment enriched with promising young players and competitive Tests and ODIs to look forward to. It was not a difficult decision for me,” he elaborated.
While acknowledging the pressures of international coaching roles, Simmons downplayed any apprehension regarding the Bangladesh position, instead focusing on nurturing player enjoyment and winning matches. “Every international coaching job comes with its challenges. Bangladesh is unique, as is Pakistan. My goal is to enable the players to enjoy the game and secure victories. Over the past two days, the atmosphere has been positive,” he commented.
Acknowledging the formidable challenge presented by South African cricket, which has struggled to clinch a Test series win in the subcontinent for over a decade, Simmons expressed optimism. “This is an excellent opportunity for us to leverage Bangladesh’s home strength and challenge South Africa’s unbroken streak in the subcontinent. They are a resilient team, but we aim to put up a robust fight,” he said, indicating meaningful discussions with captain Najmul Hossain in preparation for the series.
“Our discussions have focused on his perspectives concerning the players and the desired trajectory for the team, especially as we approach Monday. As we familiarize ourselves more, discussions will expand to encompass ODIs and more. For now, our attention is dedicated to the Tests,” Simmons explained.
The second Test, part of the ICC Test Championship, is slated to take place at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram from October 29. With strategic preparation and a focused team culture, Simmons aims to navigate Bangladesh cricket through its current turmoil into a new era of success on the field.