Local must step up- Nixon

|| CF Correspondent ||

Chattogram Challengers head coach Paul Nixon said on Friday that local players must step to help them win the upcoming Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League.

The Englishman is the first foreign coach to arrive for the tournament that is scheduled to start on December 11.

Nixon had a busy day in the opening day at office as he was seen working extensively with his charges who were available in the practice session.

The former English wicket keeper batsman looked energized as he was running all around the field during his two-hour long practice session at the BCB academy premises in the evening.

‘’It’s wonderful. The energy the guys have got and the spirit we have already created with a small group is wonderful. We have got some good players. I am very impressed with the options they have taken in the mix.

‘’They are not just being because they have match specific ideas, which is very important. We have got some very good players, I am very excited,’’ Nixon told reporters.

‘’Every game is a challenge. It is small margins at top level of cricket. It’s who does the basics well under pressure and has momentum to win the games. I was just speaking to the group after I just arrived. It’s important that our local players believe that they are match winners. They have got to get a hold of the games and be the guys,’’ he said.

‘’This is a wonderful opportunity to do well. They know the grounds, they know the pitches as well. I think it’s going to be harder for the big names coming in. These are the work horses that can actually win games. It’s really important. They have got to believe that. The way I have seen them play today I am very excited,’’ he said.

Nixon added that their goal is to win the tournament and in order to do that they need to progress on day to day basis.

‘’We have got to win it. You want to win, of course you want to win. That’s why we turn up, that’s why we get up from beds in the morning. But as long as we get day by day progression in skills and in our ideas we are open to new ideas, we are open being smart. Twenty20 cricket is about being smart,’’ he said.

‘’Good options with the bat and good options with the ball. There are times for taking wickets with the ball and there are times when you give the batsmen one. We have got to try and almost keep our ego away from the game; we have got to be smart. We have got some wonderful players from Bangladesh. And these guys have to win matches for us. It’s really important,’’ he said.

Nixon added that he is not very nervous in his maiden campaign in Bangladesh as he feel now every coach is well aware about his strength and weakness on the back of statistical support.

‘’I think people know their games to a deeper level nowadays. The way coaching is. I think the game is more 360’. The amount of analysis there is incredible. Every game is scrutinised. The coaching staffs have got every statistic out there,’’ said Nixon.

‘’Everybody knows each other so well. Batters are way more positive than they used to be. They have all got their reverse sweeps, slog sweeps, ramps. Everybody has got everything now. It’s a tough game for bowlers. ... More and more cutters and slowers. You have to be flexible; your plans have got to be fluent. It’s about having the right squad that can create that,’’ he said.

Nixon added that he had fond memories against Bangladesh in the World Cup 2007 in West Indies.

‘’I do remember that game. It was in Barbados. Actually it was a huge wicket. I remember Sakib and the spinners bowling beautifully. It was a tight game. It was myself and Paul Collingwood out there at the end. Luckily we saw us through. Rest of the guys did a good job. Bangladesh always look for a fight. They always fight like tigers. It’s wonderful. I came here many years ago with the MCC before Bangladesh got Test status to see if it was worth MCC investing and helping Bangladesh cricket with facilities and coaches etcetera. It was the best thing they ever did. Proud cricketing nation. It was also great for us to come and learn  as well in your condition. In England it doesn’t turn as much as this. It doesn’t hold as much. So variation is going to be very important in our bowling,’’ Nixon concluded.