'I am leaving with happy memories' - Neil McKenzie steps down as Bangladesh's batting coach

Former right-handed batsman of South Africa Neil Douglas McKenzie has resigned from his position as batting coach of Bangladesh national cricket team. He cited family commitments for stepping down from the responsibility. The former opener believes, seeing ongoing COVID-19 scenarios and shouldering other roles, it will be not a fair idea to remain away from my young family for too long.

McKenzie had completed a stint of two years with the Bangladesh team but was expected to take forward his role after signing an extension. He joined the Tigers during the West Indies tour back in 2018. It was during his able guidance that Bangladesh emerged victorious against West Indies and Zimbabwe in ODI at their home ground. The team also won tri-series against Ireland during the last year.

“We had a commitment with him for white-ball cricket. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, he agreed to work with us in all formats. But in the changed circumstances, with new COVID-19 protocols, he informed us recently that it was getting really difficult for him,” BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury said, as quoted by NDTV Sports.

“He would have to come 14 days earlier now and had to spend even more time with Bangladesh away from his family, which was no longer possible for him. So he wanted to work in either red-ball or white-ball cricket. But we felt that it was better to discontinue the arrangement with him,” he added.

Difficult to leave a role which I have thoroughly enjoyed: Neil McKenzie

The former opener stated that it had been a tough call for him, where he enjoyed his time with the team feeling like a family.

“It is difficult to leave a role which I have thoroughly enjoyed. From the very beginning, I have been made to feel a part of the team, and I am going with happy memories,” he said.

The Bangladesh team is expected to mark their resumption in international cricket after a 5-long month break due to COVID-19 situations across the world. In October, they will show up on the field in the 3-Test series against Sri Lanka. The team started their training back in July, but due to coronavirus protocols, only one player along with one trainer was inside allowed Dhaka’s main stadium.