Sylhet: Netherlands head coach Ryan Cook expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete against Bangladesh as they prepare for the upcoming T20 series. Cook, addressing reporters in Sylhet, emphasized the unpredictability of the T20 format and their belief in securing victories against the hosts.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Cook acknowledged Bangladesh’s recent performances while noting their vulnerabilities in other series. He stated, “In the T20 format, any team can win on any given day. They (Bangladesh) have played some good cricket recently but also have shown that they are vulnerable in other series as well.” The series opener is scheduled for tomorrow at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Cook, who previously served as Bangladesh’s fielding coach, is familiar with both the team and local conditions. He expressed his pleasure at returning, saying, “So lovely to be back and seeing the faces again… really good memories here before. And great to be back at this venue as well.”
The Netherlands team has prepared on various surfaces to adapt to the local conditions in Bangladesh. Cook explained, “We are a team that prides themselves on being able to adjust. Many of these players were playing on a mat on a 4G astroturf last weekend. And sometimes they’re playing on inserted astroturfs on soccer fields.” This diverse training approach aims to help the team adapt quickly to different playing conditions.
Cook concluded by expressing confidence in his team’s adaptability, stating, “So when we come to these venues, we actually feel like we can adjust to the conditions quite quickly because we have to adjust to a whole bunch of different conditions where we’re from as well.”