Neil McKenzie steps down as Bangladesh batting coach amidst COVID pandemic

Neil McKenzie, the batting coach of the Bangladesh cricket team, has decided to step down from the role after being in this position for two years. McKenzie, who took over as the batting coach of the Bangladesh side in 2018, cited the need to spend time with his family during the coronavirus pandemic as the prime reason for this decision. In a statement released by Bangladesh Cricket Board CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury, he said, “Neil has informed us that he was unable to continue as the Bangladesh batting coach, as in the changed world scenario it was important for him to stay close to the family in South Africa. He has been a much admired coach here and I wish to thank him for the work he has put in with the Bangladeshi batsmen, especially in white-ball cricket where the progress has been evident.”

McKenzie took over as the batting coach of the team and he immediately gave some good results. During his tenure, Bangladesh defeated the Windies in an ODI series in their home turf while they won a tri-series for the first time ever. They defeated Zimbabwe and had achieved impressive wins against South Africa, Afghanistan and West Indies in the league stages of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup but they still did not make it to the knock-out stages.

Cricket stalled in Bangladesh

The coronavirus pandemic has hit Bangladesh hard, with over one lakh active cases currently. Ever since the pandemic hit in March, the Bangladesh government announced a general holiday that has not yet been lifted. The Dhaka Premier League has been postponed while the home Test series against Australia and New Zealand has also been postponed due to the coronavirus.

However, Bangladesh are all set to tour Sri Lanka for a three-Test series for the first time in six years. The situation is so dire that Nazmul Hassan, the BCB president has proposed an early departure to Sri Lanka. Initially the plan was for the players to leave for Colombo on September 23 or 24, go through the two-week quarantine and then train for the series that begins on October 24.