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Siddons accepts Bangladesh job

Jamie Siddons has become the latest Australian to take charge of a Test team after accepting the role as coach of Bangladesh

Cricinfo staff
28-Oct-2007


Jamie Siddons has been involved with the Australian team in a coaching role since his retirement from first-class cricket © Getty Images
Jamie Siddons has become the latest Australian to take charge of a Test team after accepting the role as coach of Bangladesh. Siddons, an assistant coach with Australia, will arrive in Dhaka on Monday to finalise his contract.
Last month it was reported that Siddons was unlikely to become the team's coach after his terms and conditions did not match those of the Bangladesh board. But today Siddons said: "I am thrilled to announce that I have accepted an offer from the BCB to coach the Bangladesh national team."
Siddons is considered one of Australia's greatest domestic players never to win a Test cap. He made 11,587 first-class runs at 44.91, playing for Victoria and South Australia between 1984-85 and 1999-2000, and played a solitary ODI in Lahore in 1988.
Siddons has been continually involved with the national team since retirement. He was appointed as a senior coach at the Centre of Excellence before the 2005 Ashes and then became an assistant coach with the Australian team.
Bangladesh have been looking for a coach since Dav Whatmore decided to quit the post following India's tour of Bangladesh in May. Shaun Williams, the assistant coach, has been in charge of side since then. Siddons' appointment means Australia, West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh all have former Australian state or international players coaching them.