Q: What special preparations do you have for the T20 and ODI World Cup qualifiers? What are the new things you’re planning to introduce now?
A: Both qualifiers are high quality tournaments and our team has to be at the best to achieve what we want. Our middle order did well in the last two tournaments. We need to fix the openers and late middle order in the batting department. Fast bowling was always our weak link. Current fast bowlers were given task during raining season to top up their fitness. Once I come back, I will be focusing a lot to improve current bowlers and find new bowlers. I need to create competition within the bowlers to improve the fast bowler department. Most probably new talent search will be done in end of July. We are in process of arranging four preparation tours (August tour to Sri Lanka/ November to Bangladesh/ December to Pakistan or any place which suits New Zealand conditions/ Early travel to New Zealand). All the tours are under discussion.
Q: How do you plan to keep the players busy during the rainy season, when they may not get chance to get to the ground?
A: During rainy season I have planned to send few players outside to get more exposure. Gyanendra and Basant will be in Canada. Pradeep and Binod Bhandari will be in SL for U-23. If Paras recovers from his injury, he also will come to Canada. Binod Das will run few training seasons for young fast bowlers. Sharad, Subash, Sanjam and Paras need rest to recover from minor injuries. All the others are being given fitness schedule to follow in next two months.
Pubudu Dassanayake, during one of the training sessions with the players
Q: Specific plans for specific players, if you have any?
A: Strength and weakness of all squad members been identified. As soon as I come close camp will start and training program will be design to improve our weak areas.
Q: Is our pool of cricketers enough to take us through these matches (we’ll have a long season now)?
A: Our current crop is in best shape. But we have to create competition among the group by bringing in a few more good players. I am looking forward with players like Naresh Budhaair, Sagar Pun, Rajesh Pulami, Avinash Karn, Bhuwan Karki, Naresh Giri and Yagyman Kumal, etc. NCA “A” team program will commence from September to help these youngsters.
Q: Who do you think are going to be key players?
A: Paras, Gynendra and Sharad is in top condition and I like to see Binod, Pradeep, Prithu, Subash and Anil also to step up. In the bowling department Basant and Shakti is leading the group and others has to improve for us to win games at the top level.