Bangladesh Taps Julian Wood to Supercharge Batting Ahead of Asia Cup

Bangladesh Enlists Julian Wood as Power-Hitting Coach

Bangladesh is set to welcome Julian Wood, a world-renowned power-hitting coach, into their setup in August. This move aims to bolster their shot-making abilities as they gear up for the upcoming T20 Asia Cup, scheduled to commence on September 9 in the UAE.

Julian Wood has previously worked with the Chattogram Challengers in the BPL © BCB

Wood pictured during his time with the Chattogram Challengers.

Following a demanding schedule, Bangladesh's national cricketers are currently on a break. Their preparation camp for the Asia Cup is slated to begin on August 6 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Wood, recognized for revolutionizing England's white-ball cricket through his power-hitting methodologies, is anticipated to arrive before the camp's commencement in August. He will mentor the players for a three-week period.

"We are hoping that he will arrive before the start of camp scheduled ahead of the Asia Cup," a senior BCB official confirmed to Cricbuzz on Saturday.

Wood, who previously collaborated with Bangladeshi cricketers during the Bangladesh Premier League while coaching the Chattogram Challengers, echoed similar sentiments.

"Yeah, I'm talking to Simmo (Phil Simmons). Basically, I'm there for three weeks in August. That's what I've heard, but it's not confirmed yet. But it's more than likely. You obviously spoke to BCB," Wood stated.

"In August, yeah (will be reaching Dhaka) prior to the Asia Cup. Don't know (after Asia Cup) as it depends on them (BCB) I suppose," he added.

"I think the key for me is there's a lot of talent there. They've always had talent. When it comes to white ball cricket, striking the ball is obviously a major part of the game now," he observed.

"It (my job) will be to give them information and the key thing is how to use their power, how to generate their power and use that power more efficiently," he elaborated.

"I'm really looking forward to these three weeks because I've got history there. And they've talked about this for a while now," Wood expressed.

"I reckon, they talked about this for the last three to four years. Nothing's really happened, but it's happening now, I'm happy," he concluded.

In addition to securing a power-hitting coach, a BCB official revealed plans to appoint a sports psychologist to assist cricketers in addressing the mental aspects of the game.

"We are hoping to bring a sports psychologist and along with them we are eyeing to include some local psychologist so that they can learn from him as well as help our cricketers with the language as it can be a barrier," the official stated.

Reportedly, David Scott, who previously served with the High Performance Unit of Bangladesh, is the frontrunner for the sports psychologist position.

Scott's expertise lies in the areas of sports, exercise, and psychology. He has consulted for numerous government departments and private companies, and has also worked as a sport psychology consultant for various teams and organizations.

Furthermore, a BCB official mentioned ongoing discussions with several international teams, including Nepal and the Netherlands, regarding a bilateral series to prepare for this year's Asia Cup, scheduled for September.

"India were supposed to come to Bangladesh. We were counting on that. We thought we would go to the Asia Cup after playing India at home. Since they are not coming at the moment, we are trying to get another country to come to Bangladesh. Other leading countries are busy with their schedules. We are trying beyond that. It could be Nepal or the Netherlands," BCB cricket operation chairman Najmul Abedin told reporters on Saturday.

"If we don't get foreign teams, from now on, we are thinking of playing a series with the next possible best team - it will be compulsory. That way, the national team will prepare well. More importantly, those who are close to the national team will also face good competition. But at the moment, our first priority is to bring in a foreign team," he concluded.