Returning Siddons looking for consistency

Jamie Siddons, who served as the head coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team from 2007 to 2011, will be returning as the batting consultant for the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Australian said that he would aim to create consistency among Bangladeshi batsmen.

Siddons is credited for improving the batting of Bangladesh stalwarts Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mushfiqur Rahim, and his second appointment comes at a time when Bangladesh have a few promising batsmen in their pipeline.

Siddons, in a video posted on his Facebook page ‘Jamie Siddons Coaching’, said he was looking forward to working with young talents in Bangladesh.

“I am hoping to get my hands on some young talents over there (in Bangladesh) while working in the national team and with the junior development programme, which I love to be and helping young kids to prepare for the game,” the Australian coach said.

Siddons informed that he got his visa and is likely to arrive in Bangladesh on February 1. He said, “Just got my visa to get over to Bangladesh, which will be my next coaching job. Two years over there hopefully. I will book my flight today for next week or so. Hopefully, I will start my work there from February 1.”

The former Bangladesh head coach praised Bangladesh’s recent success against Australia and New Zealand at home and their famous Test win against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui. But he also pointed out Bangladesh’s failure in the next Test and wanted to improve the consistency.

“They have got some really good wins in recent times in T20 and Test cricket. Most notably in the first Test against New Zealand recently. They had a great win there, batted and bowled beautifully. And then they all fell apart in the second Test.

“I am not sure why but that will be the thing to work; to bring some consistency. Hopefully, I can help when I get over there,” he said.

Siddons is unsure about his role but was hoping to work with youngsters nonetheless.

“I will hopefully be working with the national team and with some young players. I am not 100 per cent sure where I will spend my time, but I think I will work with some young talented players to help and improve their cricket,” he said.