Simmons Plays Down Bangladesh Coaching Shake-Up as West Indies Tests Loom

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has played down the disruption caused by a late change to his coaching staff ahead of the two-match Test series against West Indies, which starts on Wednesday in Mirpur. The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced on Saturday that batting coach Mohammad Ashraful had been reassigned, with Mohammad Salahuddin stepping in on an interim basis. Simmons told reporters on Monday that the squad's attention was firmly on the cricket in front of them rather than the off-field changes. Bangladesh sit fourth in the World Test Championship standings, and the coach made clear that the prospect of reaching the final for the first time is driving the players. It is a prize the side have never had within reach before, and Simmons believes that ambition will keep the group focused. The build-up has been far from smooth. Bangladesh drew their one-off Test against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates earlier this month before losing both of their T20I tri-series matches against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. Ashraful's removal has been widely viewed as a reaction to that poor run, although reports also suggest the board is close to appointing a new batting coach ahead of the tour of South Africa. Simmons, however, was unfazed by the timing. He pointed out that his players have prepared well over the last few days and said the group knows exactly what is at stake. With a first World Test Championship final in their sights, Bangladesh will hope the coaching change becomes a footnote rather than the story of the series.