The Bangladeshi cricket community had high hopes when rumours circulated that Lance Klusener, the South African all-rounder, would become the national team's bowling coach. With a reputation for aggressive play and all-around skill, Klusener’s potential appointment was met with excitement, especially by fans who envisioned his expertise benefiting the Tigers’ pace attack. However, that excitement quickly turned to disappointment when Klusener declined the offer. The search for a coach persisted, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) turning to India’s Venkatesh Prasad and England’s Andrew Caddick—both renowned bowlers in their prime. Yet, their responses were also negative, leaving the team without a bowling coach for over six months, a period marked by frustration and uncertainty.
However, after a prolonged wait, the BCB finally secured a coach for the Tigers. The man chosen was Ian Leslie Pont from England—a name unfamiliar to most Bangladeshis, but one carrying a rich and varied cricketing background. While Pont may not have been a household name like Klusener or Caddick, his extensive experience both as a player and coach made him a well-rounded and strategic choice for the team.
Born on August 28, 1961, in Brentwood, Essex, Pont began his cricketing career with Nottinghamshire in 1981 and later played for Essex and Natal. He briefly dabbled in professional baseball, even securing a trial with Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies, thanks to his impressive ability to pitch at speeds of nearly 100 mph. This unique blend of cricket and baseball experience highlighted Pont’s deep understanding of pace, precision, and biomechanics—skills critical to his future role as a coach.
Although Pont’s playing career was relatively modest, it is in coaching that he truly carved out a niche. His ABSAT (Advanced Biomechanics Speed & Accuracy Technique) system has been widely recognized as a cutting-edge approach to developing fast bowlers, offering a blend of technical mastery and innovative training methods. Pont’s coaching credentials include stints with Essex and the Netherlands, alongside his authorship of *The Fast Bowler’s Bible*, a widely respected guide for aspiring pacers.
Pont’s appointment is a reminder that coaching success often comes not from cricketing stardom but from the ability to innovate and teach. Figures like Dav Whatmore and Bob Woolmer, both of whom had modest playing careers but excelled as coaches, demonstrate that less-recognized cricketers can often bring fresh perspectives and success to the teams they guide.
Pont’s expertise, particularly in biomechanics and pace, should align well with Bangladesh’s need to develop its fast-bowling unit—a longstanding challenge for a team more traditionally reliant on spin. His international experience, coupled with a reputation as a methodical and forward-thinking coach, suggests that his tenure could bring tangible benefits.
Though fans may have initially yearned for a more glamorous appointment, Ian Pont's potential impact should not be underestimated. His practical knowledge, innovative mindset, and passion for coaching could be exactly what Bangladesh’s promising, but raw, pace bowlers need. The BCB’s decision to bring him on board may well prove to be a savvy one in the long run.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
