Domingo steps down, Hathurusingha in line for Bangladesh coach

 
Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo has resigned just days after the side’s disappointing Test series defeat at home to India with a year left on his contract, Bangladesh Cricket Board announced on Wednesday.

Domingo, 48, had already been partially sidelined earlier this year when he was stripped of his role overseeing the T20 side right before the Asia Cup.
The South African’s departure will leave Bangladesh scrambling to find a replacement before they host England in February.

“We received his resignation letter last night. We will now start working to appoint a new head coach before our next series,” Bangladesh Cricket Board operations chief Jalal Yunus told AFP.

Jalal said all other coaching staff members, including pace bowling coach and fellow South African Allan Donald, will remain in their roles despite Domingo’s resignation.

Bangladesh won its ODI series against India 2-1 but lost both Tests, despite an impressive showing by its bowlers in the final match.

Domingo had taken over as head coach after Steve Rhodes was sacked, in September 2019.

The South African was to stay on till the 2023 World Cup.

Under Domingo's tutelage, Bangladesh won T20I series against Australia and New Zealand at home, its first-ever Test in New Zealand, an ODI series in South Africa and at home against India.

Handed a 188-run loss in the first Test, a profligate Bangladesh went down by three wickets in the second Test on Sunday at Mirpur.

Meanwhile, a BCB source informed that BCB is looking to bring back Chandika Hathurusingha as Bangladesh Head Coach.

Chandika Hathurusingha's return as Bangladesh's head coach is closer to becoming reality after Bangladesh Cricket Board operations chief Jalal Yunus recently hinted that they need an aggressive coach to control the team.

"We need a coach who has an impact and influence on the team. You will soon see some changes. We are trying. We want a very strong team that can play quality and highly competitive team. We went close to beating India but it is tough to beat this team. We beat England and Australia in this ground, but India is a tougher side in these conditions. After the Mirpur Test, Yunus had hinted.

"In the mainstream, motivation is important. We don't just want a good coach, but he has to be a mentor. There's less scope to teach them skills at this level, but the coach needs to review performances with the players after a series," Yunus added.

Hathurusingha had been Bangladesh coach between 2014 and 2017, and the only thing that seemingly stands in the way of his return to that position is the manner of his exit from the Sri Lanka set-up, which remains unclear.

The BCB source also informed former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener and former Australia batsman Mike Hussy are also the strong candidates in the race for the vacant Bangladesh head coach's post.

England will play three ODIs and three T20 matches during their tour which concludes on March 14 in Dhaka.

Reigning T20 World Cup and Cricket World Cup Champions England are set to travel to Bangladesh for a white-ball tour in March 2023.