Mark O’Neill to be batting consultant of Bangladesh for 30 days

After not renewing the contract of Thilan Samaraweera, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today announced Mark O’Neill as the batting consultant of the national team. O’Neill is a former Australian first-class cricketer and has been appointed for a period of 30 days. The 58-year old has the experience of working with New Zealand, Western Australia, New South Wales and Middlesex.

O’Neill already in Bangladesh

O’Neill, along with head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, visited the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday. The BCB is looking at O’Neill as a long term option who could be part of the development programme. Bangladesh are currently preparing for the home series against Australia, which kicks off next month. O’Neill is expected to work with the national cricketers and a call on his position will be taken after a period of 30 days, confirmed BCB chief, Nizamuddin Chowdhury.

“Initially he will work with the national team for a month,” said Nizamuddin. “Later after discussing with him, we will decide what will be our next course of action.

“We have some plans to use him in the development program as he has a substantial amount of knowledge in this area,” he added.

Bangladesh on the way up

Samaraweera did a great job with the players but did not get a contract renewal. Under him, Bangladesh soared to unprecedented heights, playing in the semifinals of an ICC event for the first time in their history after they beat New Zealand in a memorable game at Cardiff. Heroes of the game – Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad – hit rearguard hundreds to help their team get past the Kiwis and qualify for the semifinals.

In the semifinals, though, Bangladesh were exposed against the might of India. At the end, it was a great confidence booster for the team to appear in the final four of a big tournament.

O’Neill played his first-class cricket for New South Wales while his entire List A appearances were for Western Australia in an 11-year career. He was a right handed batsman, who could bowl occasional medium pace. In 76 games at the first-class level, O’Neill averages 35.17while scoring 3729 runs. He hit 9 hundreds and 18 fifties before retiring from the game in 1990.