'Chandika not being here will give players more space to think'

Bangladesh's former head coach and newly-appointed Sri Lanka coach Chandika Hathurusinghe was known for his hard-nosed and authoritarian style of coaching and assistant coach Richard Halsall says that without Chandika, the players will have more space to think and act.

BCB are looking to fill the vacant head coach position after Hathurusinghe's resignation mid-way through the South Africa tour. In the absence of a head coach, Halsall will be in charge of the coaching side of things for the upcoming series.

Halsall was diplomatic while talking about his latest role in the Bangladesh team.

"I do not think it is any different to what it was before. I look after the coaching side. That's what I have always done. To the point of view of the support staff, it's about doing everything possible to allow the player to win games of cricket for Bangladesh.

"That's what everyone wants. So that does not change whatever title you have against your name."

Asked what changes one might expect in the Bangladesh team after Hathurusinghe's departure, Halsall said that the players will find more space to execute their ideas and the senior players will assume greater responsibility.

"I think that's a really good place for the players to be at. Because Chandika not being here will give them more space to think and make make them more responsible."

He emphasized that the core group of players can now be more involved in the decision making process.

"Bangladesh are very lucky as they have got some excellent senior players likes of Shakib, Mashrafe the two captains and Mushfiq, Mahmudullah and Tamim. Those players now can be more involved. I think when you get older you become more responsible. That's exciting. I think it's another exciting step for that group of players."