‘The game dictates how I coach the players’

Julian Wood is known as somewhat of a pioneer in coaching T20 power-hitting. This time, he is enjoying a stint with Chattogram Challengers as head coach. His overall work with England furthered his reputation as a pioneer in the industry. The current Chattogram coach spoke to The Daily Star's Abdullah Al Mehdi about his work with England, his philosophy and the evolution taking place in cricket through T20s.

The Daily Star (DS): What entails the power-hitting philosophy?

Julian Wood (JW): Everybody is different but it was quite hand-dominant back in the day. If you look at the grip, it's tailored to roll the wrist, then you lead with the head to get on top of the ball and it's all tailored to keep the ball down. Then T20 came along and there was more emphasis on ball stroking and the language changed. The language I used changed in the way I coached. I had to be more aggressive because the game is dictating how you coach. The way I see it, you won't have batting coaches, you will have hitting coaches.

You still have to bat, but you have power players and then skill players. I look at the player first. I see Afif [Hossain] as a brilliant player, he's classy with skill and touch. He's got enough power but what he must not do is what he did a few games ago when he tried to power it.

DS: Your take on England's philosophy and evolution?

JW: They made a decision in 2015 when they were knocked out of the World Cup [by Bangladesh]. I worked with England before 2015 and I was in no doubt they would be knocked out because they had red-ball players playing white-ball cricket. They got Trevor Bayliss and Eoin Morgan, who I think is fantastic as a leader. Then they started getting the right personnel and I was lucky to be part of it. I was there only for power-hitting, not batting coach, because they had Graham Thorpe, who is very good.

DS: How can Bangladesh or other nations replicate that?

JW: You have to look at your players and that's why the BPL is so good for local players because it's like a shop window. It's an opportunity to see these guys and say 'this guy can do a job here' and then you need the right personnel working with them.

DS: Your thoughts on working with the Bangladesh team?

JW: Last year there was a lot of talk about whether I would work in Bangladesh. Of course, I would. I am open to every role, but I think what they need to improve on is power-hitting.

DS: Does Bangladesh have that potential?

JW: They are not big guys but that doesn't matter because it's how you use your body that matters. Small guys can hit big sixes and there are certain mechanics and technical aspects you need to teach differently compared to guys who are 6 feet four inches. The smaller guys need more skill.

DS: How was your experience working with Punjab in the IPL?

JW: Jonty [Rhodes] is a top Punjab man and he called me when I was here. He asked if I was in the IPL and when I said I wasn't, he said that Punjab would pick me. He got me to Punjab. The quality of the IPL is unbelievable due to the players' quality. You win games you thought you could never win. They also have a lot of data to use, like measures of bat speed. It's information. If you change the angle just four degrees with your bat, suddenly the impact is 12 percent quicker.