Herath to become Tigers' new spin coach, Siddons may return in a new role

Bangladesh cricket team has been playing without a spin bowling coach for a long time now. Despite having a 100-day contract with Daniel Vettori, the former Kiwi spinner was not found in all the series during Covid. 

He was with the Bangladesh team in New Zealand. But at home, local coach Sohail Islam took charge during the West Indies and Sri Lanka series.

Finally, the Bangladesh Cricket Board is going to appoint a permanent spin coach. 

Shakib and Co. will get a spin coach before the tour of Zimbabwe, said the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)'s director Akram Khan. 

BCB is even considering appointing a new batting coach to replace John Lewis. 

The names of former Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath and former Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons are being heard for these two posts.

On Monday, Akram Khan told the media, "We have said before that it is difficult to appoint a coach during this pandemic. We are still trying. Hopefully, we can take a coach before we go to Zimbabwe. Since the series in Zimbabwe will be followed by Australia, England and New Zealand, we are trying hard now."

Although Akram Khan did not reveal any name, a BCB source said that Rangana Herath is the first choice of the BCB as a spin coach.  Despite having very little experience as a coach, the BCB is more interested in him. 

Everything has almost been finalised between BCB and Herath, the BCB source said.

English coach John Lewis is currently acting as the batting coach. But there is a contrast of choice between the team. That is why BCB is looking for a new batting coach. 

Former Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons is at the top of the BCB's list of favourites for this post.

Although he did not say his name, Akram Khan hinted at this.

"Apart from the spin coach, a new batting coach has also been discussed," he said. 

"Some are interested in Lewis, some people are not. We will take his decision first, whether we will keep him or not is also a matter of discussion. If not, we have a shortlist. There is one of them who has worked with the Bangladesh team before. It may take three or four days to fix everything."

BCB has always liked Vettori as a spin coach. But the BCB is not showing interest in him due to the Covid situation. The country's top cricket governing body is also considering Sohail Islam as some cricketers are interested in him.

Akram Khan said, "It is difficult to find him (Vettori) in this situation of Corona. And that's why we're not interested in him. We will make a decision in two or three days after discussing it with the senior cricketers. Honestly, many players want our Sohail to be the spin coach. So we will take this decision after considering everything."