Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 4 Num 220 Wed. January 07, 2004  
   
Sports


Fielding still his priority


You can take it as you like, but for Trevor Chappell it's just another job. From being the all in all to be an aide-de-camp is nothing but just another task for the Australian.

The youngest of the famous Chappell brothers arrived here on Monday to impart a two-week fielding training to a team that he had coached for a year before making an unceremonious exit in March 2002.

"I am very happy to have come back here and interested to work for a longer period, no matter whether it is a full time or part-time job," said the former Bangladesh coach.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board hired Trevor as one of the five aides of coach Dav Whatmore ahead of Bangladesh's second trip to Zimbabwe in February. The Tigers will play two Tests and three one-day internationals in the African country.

Incidentally, Trevor was at the helm when the Tigers played their maiden away series against Zimbabwe in 2001.

Talking to a group of reporters after completing his first comeback session with the national team at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, Trevor said that it was a wonderful opportunity for him to work with Whatmore again.

"There is nothing wrong to work under anybody and to work with Dav is a pleasure. I have known him for nearly 20 odd years and we have also worked together in Sri Lanka. I think it's easy for me to work with him," said Trevor.

The 51-year-old also lauded Whatmore for transforming the newest Test nation from a bunch of losers to a group of fighters.

"Bangladesh's performance in the World Cup was very disappointing. But once Dav took over they improve very quickly. I have watched them in Australia quite a lot on television. They played very well in Darwin and Cairns and I was very happy to see them fighting," he said.

When asked to draw a comparison between the teams of today and the one under him, Trevor observed the current Tigers are a young side.

"It's a young and athletic team which is a very good sign. From fielding's point of view, Bangladesh can work on it to make a rapid improvement compared to batting and bowling. And the job would be easier if you work with a young side," he added.

Trevor however refuted the allegation that he was unwillingly unaware of batting and bowling departments and had rather concentrated mostly on fielding.

"Not necessarily, I did some work in batting and bowling along with fielding, probably they had improved much in this area which was more noticeable. Hopefully something good came in my period. I enjoyed it. I had a great time with this team."

Trevor coached Bangladesh in ten Tests and nine one-day internationals. The only success for him was a rain-washed draw against Zimbabwe in the Chittagong Test in 2002.

Trevor however believed that improvement in fielding should be the top priority for any young Test nation.

"For improvement in batting and bowling you need a fresh generation to work with. Because when Bangladesh got Test status it was very tough for the players, who were only accustomed to one-day competitions, to adjust with the five-day game," he said.

Trevor still thinks that his blue-eyed boy Mohammad Ashraful is the most talented cricketer of the country.

"I like him very much because he has a real talent and he is an enthusiastic cricketer. I believe by the time he turns 25 he will be a complete batsman."