Bangladesh cricket board confirmed the signing of former England keeper-batsman Steve Rhodes as the new head coach of the senior men’s team. Rhodes takes over the top spot after an uncertain eight months in Bangladesh cricket without a head coach after Chandika Hathurusingha’s unexpected resignation in October 2017. The 53-year-old will be contracted until the end of the World T20 in 2020.
The confirmation of Rhodes’s signing comes a day after BCB chief Nazmul Hasan’s claims that the absence of a hard-nosed man in charge of the team was perhaps responsible for the team’s recent on-field struggles. Rhodes interviewed with the BCB panel on Thursday (June 7) morning and is understood to have impressed upon those in the helm with his vision for the team’s next step.
“I spoke with Nizam originally. I am proud that Gary Kirsten, a very respected cricketing figure, put my name forward. The temptation straightaway was to say, ‘yes, of course’. It didn’t take long at all to show my interest to coach this wonderful country,” Rhodes said after he was unveiled as coach by Hasan.
Rhodes’s appointment ends BCB’s long hunt for a full-time head coach post the fairly successful Hathurusingha tenure. Legendary Windies fast bowler Courtney Walsh, recruited to work with the team’s budding bowlers, took up the role on an interim basis in February.
Rhodes had a successful playing career as a wicketkeeper for Yorkshire and Worcestershire. He also played a handful of games for England during 23 years as a professional. After retiring, he began coaching and took over as Director of Cricket at Worcestershire in 2006, overseeing the development of a strong core of young, homegrown talent which helped the club achieve promotion to Division One of the County Championship last year. His work was well regarded at the ECB and Rhodes was part of the coaching staff for England’s tour to Bangladesh in 2016.
His time at Worcestershire ended in controversial circumstances however when he was sacked late last year after allegedly failing to report the arrest of one of his players. When the incident came to light some months later, the county felt they had little choice but to remove Rhodes even if some within the club felt he was simply trying to assist someone who had turned to him for help. Whatever the motive, it was a serious error of judgement and he was removed as head coach of England’s U19 team for the World Cup as a result.
“I am very lucky to be involved in some of England’s preparations which include their tour to Bangladesh in 2016,” Rhodes said. “I have had a flavour of international coaching. There’s not a lot of difference in how you go about your coaching, but obviously the international programme is quite heavy.
“Trying to keep the boys up for the game isn’t easy to do. Ultimately, I feel as though I am qualified now. You can see I have grey hair, which tends to mean you’ve gone through hard times. Hopefully my experience will be of real value to the Bangladesh team.”
One of Rhodes’s early responsibilities would be to begin Bangladesh’s tune-up for next year’s 50-over World Cup in England. The new coach believes the team can repeat their Champions Trophy 2017 feat, and even go further, in next year’s showpiece event.
“I just told the president and board members that Bangladesh did well in the Champions Trophy in England. They’ve proved they can play well in English conditions. To get to a semi-final in that competition was a marvelous effort by Bangladesh.
“If we can get to that stage or even further, I am now thinking along the lines of what a dream would be to see Bangladesh lined up for the final. It would be a fantastic occasion.”
After being out of the top level of the game, Rhodes was recently named as one of England’s new band of scouts tasked with watching prospects on the county circuit and providing feedback on them to Ed Smith’s selection panel. Given his record for spotting and nurturing talent, that seemed like a sensible move but now with Rhodes’s appointment as Bangladesh’s coach, the ECB will need to find a replacement.
