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BSP-16
CRICKET-MCKENZIE-TEST
McKenzie begins working with Tigers Test batsmen
NAGPUR, Nov 10, 2019 (BSS) – Bangladesh’s batting consultant Neil McKenzie now starts working for the Test cricket also.
McKenzie began his stint with Test cricketers on Sunday at Nagpur ahead of opening Test match, scheduled to begin at Indore from November 14.
This will be the first time the former South African batsman will work with the Tigers in the longer-format after being appointed as their batting consultant in July last year with his job limited only to white-ball cricket (ODI and T20).
McKenzie was seen working for hours with Saif Hasan, Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque at the nets outside the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium ahead of the series deciding Twenty20 match against India as he arrived earlier with the Test squad members to prepare them for the opening Test match.
The 43-year old, who had a contract with the Bangladesh Cricket Board until 2019 ICC World Cup in England and Wales, earlier extended his contract and the BCB is now trying to secure his services in Tests alongside the limited-over formats.
McKenzie, who was reluctant to work in all three formats with the Tigers to spend more time with his family, has agreed to work in the first game of the two-match Test series in India.
BCB cricket operation chairman Akram Khan said ahead of the India tour that they are looking forward to see how he delivers in the first Test at Indore and will take a decision in this regard after the two-match Test series.
“He initially will be there for the first Test but we can’t say for sure about the second Test. We will discuss it. We have a contract for Twenty20s and one-day international with him, there is no such contract for Tests. But we are trying. It hasn’t been finalised yet,” said Akram.
“We are thinking that it would be better for the team if the same coach works with both red ball and white ball teams. We are trying to make it happen. We are trying hard to get McKenzie as our coach in all three formats, which will benefit us. He coached South Africa in all three formats. But he is finding it difficult to make time for his family. So we are discussing it with him,” he added.
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