Langeveldt wants Consistency from seamers

Fast bowling coach of Bangladesh cricket team Charl Langeveldt has revealed that is main focus is to make the Bangladeshi seamers more consistent and take 20 wickets.

Talking to the media, Langeveldt talked about quite a few things, including Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion and how he plans to work.

The South African coach persisted that he wanted to make the bowlers more consistent. “When we go overseas or when we go to India, they might prepare seaming tracks for us, so I need to prepare them to be consistent. Consistency means being able to bowl four out of six in the right area, making the batsman to play, bringing him forward and that is my big focus for now.”

When asked about why Mustafizur has been dropped, he said, “He is carrying a niggle.” He said that it was just a precaution and added, “I saw he bowled one over today and came off, so there’s still a lot of white-ball cricket leading up, so it’s probably best to use my best bowler in One day cricket as well so probably best to rest him.” He also added that hopefully he will be available for the upcoming T20 tri-series.

He seemed excited about the team’s preparation till now. “It was exciting. There was a bit of bounce in for the seamers. They actually bowled very well, they got the ball into the right areas, what we have been working on the last week. So, the improvement is good. So, that’s exciting for me.”

Asked if he was satisfied with the current crop of seamers, he said, “They were consistent in the areas, they could partially reverse the ball, for me the pleasing aspect was that they were able to control the new ball. The old ball there still needs work, but there’s still a lot of hard work to do. But I’m excited with what I saw this week.”

Asked about the seamers selected for the squad vs Afghanistan, he said, “They got the pace. For me it’s all about the control. You need that pace with control, sometimes you need pace off the wicket. You can be quick through the air, but Taskin is a hit the deck bowler, Ebadat is a hit the deck bowler, Rahi can also hit the deck oddly.”

Lageveldt had absolutely no clue about how the wicket would be at Chattogram. He said, “Not sure. Just from previous experience, it used to be low and slow. So, we don’t know, we haven’t been there. I’m really excited to see what they prepare there.”

He insisted that the captain’s plan was his plan for the Afghanistan test. He said, “The captain’s plan is my plan. Whatever he wants, I’m happy. I’m only here to prepare the seamers, make sure they are prepared and ready to play in the test game. If the captain prefers to play spinners and one seamer, that’s his choice.”

When asked if he had the confidence about picking up 20 wickets every match with the Test Championship looming, he said that it was his challenge. “I think if I don’t believe in it, I wouldn’t be here. So, I have to believe in it. And as I said, it is going to be hard work, there’s still a lot of work to be done and I’m confident we can do that. It’s not going to happen overnight, but I’m really confident we can do it the ability the guys have shown me in the two-day game,” he said.

Questioned about what he is trying to teach the bowlers, he said that he was working on the grip. “If you want to be a swing bowler or a seam bowler, you need to get a good wrist position. And that will obviously help with the swing or the seam position. I’m just working with the grip at the moment also, good for me is that they learn quickly and that is pleasing for me.”

Bangladesh will face Afghanistan in a solitary test match which commences on the 5^th of September at Chattogram.