Bangladesh appoints its A team coach Shaun Williams to top job

Dhaka, June 4 (UNI) The Bangladesh Cricket Board has appointed its A team coach Shaun Williams to take over the reigns of the national side for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

One of Darwin Cricket Club's favourite sons, Williams, has been appointed as coach on an interim basis.

The 35-year-old Williams, who captained the Eagles to two District flags in 1999 and 2000 during a stellar seven seasons with the club, has been handed the reins for Bangladesh's month-long tour, starting on June 20.

Although his appointment is on an interim basis, it is a big show of faith by the BCB, especially because Williams has big shoes to fill as he replaces Dav Whatmore, who has turned an ordiary team into a fighting outfit.

Darwin Cricket Club president Greg Bichnel is delighted at the news.

''I'm sure he'll do a fantastic job,'' Bichnel said.

''The club and all the boys who know Shaun well are very happy for him - we'll be watching how they go in Sri Lanka,'' he was quoted by a news portal.

Williams first went to Bangladesh as game development manager before playing a key role as coach of the successful under-19 team and then the A team.

His work with the youth squads has resulted in Bangladesh fielding the youngest side on average in world cricket, which tipped the balance in his favour.

A left-hand opening batsman who bowled right-arm off-spin, Williams built a formidable record in Darwin A-grade cricket with 3110 runs at 46.42 with the bat and took 123 wickets at 16.15 with the ball.

He played for Victorian Second XI and the ACT (where he was also coach) and was also coaching manager for NT Cricket for five years.

UNI