Cook impressed with Tigers' fielding
The South African coaching staff- head coach Russell Domingo, bowling coach Ottis Gibson and fielding coach Ryan Cook have already returned and entered the bio-secure bubble. Cook spoke to the media in the afternoon today.
Bangladesh are due to play the West Indies in a bilateral series that consists of three ODIs and two Tests. They have started training ahead of the series at the Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
The South African coaching staff- head coach Russell Domingo, bowling coach Ottis Gibson and fielding coach Ryan Cook have already returned and entered the bio-secure bubble. Cook spoke to the media in the afternoon today.
Cook was impressed with the way the fielders fielded in the BCB President's Cup and Bangabandhu T20 Cup. "I was there during the 50-over (tournament) and it was really very impressive fielding that the guys did. So everyone should be in pretty good shape and ready to go," said Cook.
Cook mentioned that the players, for now, are doing some basic training as they have come back from a break. He stated, "The guys have come back from a bit of a break after the 20-over competition. So (I am) getting them focusing on various movement patterns and basics, trying to get their arms back into it. Sometimes when you are not throwing for a long time, your arms become rusty and you can pick up a few injuries. We will raise the intensity when the series comes closer."
The fielding coach is very impressed with the commitment of the players and full of praise for them: "A lot of the guys have a great attitude now. They are really trying hard on their fielding and asking for extra work. I like that. A lot of needs to be done especially on catching technique and ground fielding. But their throwing arms are generally good. So hopefully this growing enthusiasm will help them a lot in the next couple of years."
"Obviously it (fielding) makes a massive difference to any game, red ball or white ball. In ODIs and T20s, everything becomes a bit more amplified. But it is no less important in Tests too. In ODIs, you have to be constantly under pressure throughout the 50 overs. So (we are) looking forward to the challenge and I am sure the guys will be up for it," Cook concluded.