Bangladesh batting coach prefers smart batting over muscle power
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||CF Correspondent||
Bangladesh batting consultant Neil Mckenzie has said that Tigers should rely on playing smart cricket instead going for muscle power.
Neil McKenzie joined Bangladesh team ahead of the Asia Cup campaign at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Monday.
The former South African batsman was appointed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board as batting consultant during the last series against West Indies and his contract runs up to the next World Cup.
The batting approach of Tigers in the shorter format cannot be compared with the likes of the West Indians or some other cricketing nation who can clear the ropes at their will on the back of their muscle power when it comes to playing in the slog overs.
According to McKenzie, in the Tigers’ case there is no use trying to take that route, instead, it is better to play according to their strength because emphasizing on muscle power will be a futile exercise.
“Technically you can get into better positions. We are not going to be competing against the West Indians, the way they hit the ball,” Mckenzie told reporters during the break of the training session on Monday.
“But we can be very competitive is our skilled hitting, targeting the four inner-ring guys – going over cover, point, midwicket and 45.
“There are some big hitters in the side. Riyad just got 28 off 11 balls in the CPL. Technically you can become a better hitter, commit to a better position to hit. If you are chasing six [runs] an over, I am looking for ones and twos and looking for space.
“I am going over cover or midwicket when I am looking for a boundary or straight back past over the bowler. If I am chasing 12, I have to chase a little bit harder and go for bigger shots,” he added.
When he was asked about the scarcity of big hitters in the squad, McKenzie said: “I think we can be very competitive by getting the guys hitting more sixes but showcasing the talent of hitting more skilled shots. I’d like to turn around where a West Indian will miss, miss, six. I’d like to see a Bangladeshi guy go four, four, four. I am not too fazed by big sixes but by what’s happening in between. We can get 12 off three good cricket shots and another one with talent and committing to certain areas.”
