Hathurusinghe wants a say in selection

National coach Chandika Hathurusinghe on Wednesday made it clear that he would have preferred leg-spinner Jubair Hossain in Bangladesh’s 15-member squad for the World Cup instead of a left-arm spinner. Speaking to reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Hathurusinghe made little attempt to suppress his disappointment, saying that Jubair’s inclusion could have added some variety in the squad. With Sakib al Hasan in the squad and confirmed to play every match barring an injury or suspension, it is unlikely for the team to take two other left-armers in the starting line-up, Hathurusinghe opined. ‘I would love to have Jubair [Hossain] in the team,’ he said. ‘Because leg spinners in Australia are very effective and my experience during the last four years in Australia suggests that every state team tries to get a leg-spinner in the team. It is because they are wicket-takers.’ Hathurusinghe admitted that he had tried his level best to have the leg-spinner included in the squad as indicated by the Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan earlier. ‘It is true that I was asking for him [Jubair] and he was in our plans as an attacking option for us to get wickets,’ he said. ‘As I said the leg-spinner could have given us a good attacking option and since Sakib [al Hasan] is there its very unlikely to play the two other left-armers in one team. ‘It is a tough decision as two left armers selected are very good players but I would loved to have a different option,’ said Hathurusinghe.

Hathurusinghe insisted that he would have preferred a voting right in the selection meeting being the coach as practiced by some other countries. Hathurusinghe remained unrevealing when asked if he would prefer to have a vote in selection, rather than just give suggestions. ‘I mean as a coach you have the plans with the other coaches’ senior players and captains, most of the cases the selectors, communicate with the coaching staff and have a discussion,’ he said. ‘In that sense if you have a say in selection it would be helpful but then again it’s the communication that you need,’ said the Sri Lankan Speaking about the other members of the side Hathurusinghe added that does not consider Soumya Sarkar as serious option for bowling despite his medium pace bowling contributed his inclusion in the side. ‘The thing is Soumya [Sarkar] has been in the runs and the report that I am getting is that he can bat from 1 to 7 in the top order and he is decent seaming option so we are definitely looking at his batting. If he can contribute with the ball that is a bonus,’ said Hathurusinghe. ‘We are not expecting him to bowl 10 overs unless he has a good day, we are having him as a batting option who can bowl,’ said Hathurusinghe. Pitch remained as big concern for Hathurusinghe, who, from his experience in Australia, knows that local curators hardly care about the instruction of ICC and often prepare one that they like. ‘We are all concerned because we haven’t had the chance to play in Australia at all,’ he said. ‘I don’t know about what the ICC is going to do but in Australia one thing I know is that there is very little say with the coaches or the board with the curators. ‘They prepare wicket and you have to play on that. That’s what I know. I don’t know about anything else,’ said Hathurusinghe. Hathurusinghe backed his fast bowlers as they give him different options to play with in the coming days. ‘The fast bowlers we have all brought different attribute to the team, some have swing and some have pace. I hope they will do well I am happy with the mix that we have.  It’s all about staying fit, because it’s a long tournament,’ he said.

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