Bangladesh bowlers excited by Walsh's coaching

If young seamer Kamrul Islam Rabbi's description of Courtney Walsh's first training session as bowling coach was any indication, the Bangladesh players' excitement at working with one of the best fast bowlers in history won't be fading anytime soon.

"We have been regularly talking among ourselves over the last week about our new bowling coach and when we heard that it was Courtney Walsh, we all became very happy," Rabbi said. "He observed us today, without pointing out any mistakes. When he applauds at something that we do, it means a lot to us. Those of us who are in the pipeline looking forward to playing international cricket, we can learn a lot from him."

Walsh began his routine by asking the players to introduce themselves and their style of bowling, and made them target the stumps with no batsman facing.

"After asking everyone's name, he asked whether we are left-arm or a right-arm bowlers," Rabbi, or Rab as Walsh calls him, said. "He didn't tell us much since there is a [practice] match tomorrow. He told us to focus on the game. He made us do spot-bowling for six overs each. We bowled yorkers and length deliveries specifically [to prepare] for [the inter-team] match. We bowled yorkers to left-handers and length for right-handed batsmen.

"He looked into our grip, run-up and action. I have been seeing his Youtube videos in the last few days. He is such a legendary bowler. We were little when he used to play. From what I saw today, I think he likes the basics, like a basic action. He said that my run-up is smooth and looked at the grip of Al-Amin [Hossain] and Rubel [Hossain]."

Rabbi, 24, hoped Walsh's experience would help educate uncapped fast bowlers like him about playing at the top level.

"He knows what goes on in an international match. He can bring back a bowler from bad form. He would know my mental state when a batsman dominates me. He can prepare the bowler better in the next game."