‘Fast bowling has a future in Bangladesh’
Former West Indian paceman Mervyn Dillon is in Bangladesh as coach of BPL's Sylhet Sunrisers in what is his first big coaching stint anywhere. Coming from a great pace bowling culture, he mentioned how Bangladesh can improve in that area and talked about working with Sylhet's Taskin Ahmed. Having worked under legends like Clive Lloyd and Malcolm Marshall, Dillon also gave a sneak peek into their minds while talking to The Daily Star's Abdullah Al Mehdi.
The Daily Star [DS]: Windies have a history of great fast bowlers. What can Bangladesh work on to build that culture?
Mervyn Dillon [MD]: I think a lot of it is belief. I think what happened in New Zealand is going to have a big impact. A lot of people outside are going to take note. I don't think I have ever won a Test in New Zealand (WI last won a Test in Kiwi soil in 1995 while Dillon never played there). Credit must be given to the team.
DS: What would you be looking for in Taskin Ahmed? He isn't obviously as tall as you.
MD: Taskin is taller than Malcolm Marshall and he was one of the greatest I have seen. I know that height helps but it's not the end-all. Him bowling well depends on the support. I know he has been doing a lot of work with coaches. I look at physique and clearly, he has been doing a lot of work. As my friend and mentor Clive Llyod used to say, a lot of the game is mental. If your fitness is where it should be, the mental part is easy.
DS: What are the finer points of the support that faster bowlers need?
MD: I think they [the team] have an idea of what they can improve on. I assume this [win in NZ] will be a big boost and big push for youngsters coming through. I came through a system and that belief was created. Because of your history [of spin dependency], some people might look and say it's too difficult. But the current crop can make your country understand that fast bowling has a future in Bangladesh. Even the net bowlers here were surprised that I complimented them. Guidance and providing opportunities with better wickets are key and it's something we have been lacking in the Caribbean as well.
Running some fast bowling camps is good, and bringing in people. If some don't work, bring someone else and help spur them on. The heart of the fast bowler is key. You guys should be proud of what you achieved and hopefully use that to create a new generation of fast bowlers.
DS: What was it like working with legends like Clive Lloyd and Malcolm Marshall?
MD: Clive was the manager for my first tour and Malcolm was the coach. Clive was very polished about the game. He told us about the ability of the likes of Michael Holding to come back and keep fighting and that helped us. Those guys never liked losing. They left a legacy and it's disappointing that it didn't continue for the following generations. They had good and bad days, but the fight was never missing. Malcolm would let you know when he was angry and we knew it came from a good place. I don't think we did ourselves justice but playing under them was really appreciated.