Coach Hathurusingha eyes 2nd round ICC World Cup \\\'15

FE Team | Published: June 11, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Newly appointed head coach of Bangladesh national cricket team Upul Chandika Hathurusingha believed Bangladesh can go past the first round of the 2015 World Cup in Australia/New Zealand, reports UNB.
Talking to the reporters at the Mirpur Stadium on Tuesday, he said: "It is going to be a challenge for the sub-continent's teams with the conditions. So, if we prepare intelligently or specifically enough, we'll go far. I'll be happy to be in the second round, that's my first goal."
Coach Haturusingha said he would also focus on establishing the best possible environment around the team to ensure better results.
"My job is to get that environment and resources; and for everyone in the office and involved with the team, to work to the best of their ability so that the team gets the best support," he said.
The 40-year-old Sri Lankan, Hathurusingha, played 26 Test matches and scored 1274 runs with an average of 29.62 while in 35 ODI's, he scored 669 runs with an average of 20.90. As a bowler, he claimed 17 Test wickets conceding 789 runs with an average of 46.41 while in ODI, he captured 14 wickets with an average of 50.64 runs.
He replaced Shane Jurgensen who resigned on April 28 after being in charge of Bangladesh cricket team for just over a year. Jurgensen was appointed till after the World Cup but his early departure means that the new coach, Haturusinha, has eight months to prepare the team for a massive challenge.
Hathurusingha was appointed as Tiger's head coach on May 19 for two-year tenure. Although the agreement states that he would start working from July 1, he has come to Bangladesh earlier due to the ODI series against India next week.
The Sri Lankan arrived in Dhaka on Monday night ahead of the Tigers' three-match ODI home series against World champions India and visited the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium to meet players and officials for the first time on Tuesday.
He wants to begin work straightaway as the ODI series begins on June 15. Trainer Mario Villavarayan and bowling coach Heath Streak have also arrived in the capital prior to Hathurusingha.
Bangladesh played only 20 international matches in Australia and New Zealand, the last of which was in January 2010. They toured Australia in 2003 and 2008, and have never won a match in the two countries.
Hathurusingha, however, said that with some of the Bangladesh players approaching their peak in terms of age and fitness, he is looking forward to a place in the World Cup's second round.
"The plan for us is to build on what we have," he said. "I haven't spoken to the team yet. I haven't seen them playing for last four years because we hardly get to see them in Australia. I know the capabilities of some of the players when I was with Sri Lanka before 2010. Some of the players are coming into their peak."
One of his initial focuses is to get everything in place off the field, for which he has already discussed with his new employers. "It is something that I've spoken to them when they offered me (the job)," Hathurusingha said.