South Africa’s Russell Domingo Takes Over as Bangladesh Head Cricket Coach

DHAKA – Bangladesh has today appointed South Africa’s Russell Domingo as their head coach, succeeding Steve Rhodes who exited after the team finished eighth in the World Cup last month.

Domingo, who coached South Africa to the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup in 2014 and the 50-overs World Cup in 2015, has signed a two-year contract.

“He has a wealth of experience and we have been very impressed with his passion and coaching philosophy,” Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan said in a statement announcing the appointment. “He has a clear idea of what is required to take the team forward.”

Domingo said he was looking ahead to the new challenge.

“It is a massive honour… I have followed Bangladesh’s progress with keen interest and I am extremely excited to assist the team in reaching the goals that they are capable of,” he said.

The 44-year-old was picked ahead of former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson and former Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur, local media reported.

Hesson was also in the race for the India coach’s job before Ravi Shastri was given another stint in that role.

Arthur applied for the Bangladesh role after Pakistan denied him an extension following the team’s failure to reach the semi-final of the World Cup.

Domingo will travel to India in his current role as South Africa A coach and his first assignment with Bangladesh will be their one-off test against Afghanistan in Chittagong next month.

(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; editing by Greg Stutchbury)