Batting coach Prince steps down

Bangladesh national team batting coach Ashwell Prince has stepped down from his post, the Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed on Wednesday.

BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said, “The Board respects Ashwell’s decision and accepts the resignation. We thank him for his service and professionalism and his dedicated work with the National Team batsmen and wish him the very best for his future endeavours.”

Ashwell Prince was named as the full-time batting consultant for the Bangladesh team on August 12, 2021.

Bangladesh Cricket Board had reached an agreement with him to work until the end of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup in 2022.

Prince initially worked with the Bangladesh team for the Zimbabwe series, and he grabbed a full-time role later.

A report from South African media outlet IOL says Prince has opted to resign to spend more time with his young family.

Chairman of the Cricket Operations Committee at the BCB, Jalal Yunus, had earlier told the reporters that BCB received his resignation letter.

“Yes, Prince has resigned. We got the mail a few minutes ago. He did not mention any significant reason, mentioned family reasons,” said Jalal.

The resignation from Prince came at a crucial moment as Jamie Siddons just arrived in Bangladesh as the new batting consultant for BCB.

The Tigers are set to tour South Africa in March, where Prince’s experience could come in handy, but apparently, he will not be with the team.

Prince is the fourth member of the support staff to leave Bangladesh after the T20 World Cup.

Earlier, BCB was not interested in extending the contract with fielding coach Ryan Cook. Physio Julien Calefato and Pace Bowling coach Ottis Gibson also decided not to renew their contracts.

Bangladesh have been struggling to find the right batting coach role since Neil Mackienze stepped down in 2020.

Craig Macmillan was appointed, but he turned down the job due to a family emergency. Jon Lewis was roped in, and his performance was not satisfactory. Then Prince came in, and under him, Bangladesh was improving.

Now, Bangladesh have to rope someone in quickly or will have to deploy Siddons in the vacant role.