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Bangladesh Bring In Famous Power-Hitting Coach Julian Wood Ahead Of Asia Cup

Soumyajit Dutta

Julian Wood [Source: @sundaytimes/X.com]Julian Wood [Source: @sundaytimes/X.com]

World-renowned power-hitting coach Julian Wood is set to bolster Bangladesh's T20 arsenal, joining their setup in August ahead of the T20 Asia Cup in September. Wood, credited with transforming England's white-ball batting, will conduct a three-week intensive camp starting August 6th in Dhaka.

His arrival signals Bangladesh's intent to ignite their batting firepower for the UAE tournament. The Tigers' cricketers, currently on break, will reassemble specifically for this preparatory camp under Wood's guidance.

Wood Confirms Bangladesh Stint Eyeing Potential

Wood, familiar with Bangladeshi players from his BPL stint with Chattogram Challengers, confirmed the onboarding discussions to Cricbuzz.

"Yeah, I'm talking to Simmo (Phil Simmons). Basically, I'm there for three weeks in August. That's what I've heard, but it's not confirmed yet. But it's more than likely... In August, yeah (will be reaching Dhaka) prior to the Asia Cup," said Wood.

Wood, however, expressed enthusiasm about unlocking the potential within the squad. Bangladesh, who are often known to fail to convert their starts because of a lack of hitting in the middle and lower-middle order, might get the necessary boost with Julian.

"I think the key for me is there's a lot of talent there. They've always had talent. When it comes to white ball cricket, striking the ball is obviously a major part of the game now... It (my job) will be to give them information and the key thing is how to use their power, how to generate their power and use that power more efficiently. I reckon, they talked about this for the last three to four years. Nothing's really happened, but it's happening now, I'm happy," Wood added.

Wood's Successful Career As Coach

Julian Wood is a renowned power-hitting coach who has worked with several international teams and elite cricketers, including the England ODI and T20 squads under the ECB. 

His training methods have shaped the careers of stars like Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Prithvi Shaw, Sam Billings, Carlos Brathwaite, and Hazratullah Zazai. Wood has also contributed to major T20 franchise leagues such as the IPL (Punjab Kings), BPL (Chattogram Challengers), BBL, and CPL. 

Known for revolutionising modern batting techniques, Wood's technique focuses on using the body, particularly the hips and torso, for power generation, incorporating tools like weighted balls and custom bats to boost bat speed and striking range.

BCB Bolsters Support Staff with Psychologist

Alongside Wood's appointment, the BCB is prioritizing mental conditioning. A top official revealed plans to hire a sports psychologist, blending international expertise with local support. David Scott, a former consultant with Bangladesh's High Performance Unit specializing in sport psychology, is the expected choice for this role.