Agencies/Dhaka

Bangladesh have appointed former Zimbabwe Test captain Heath Streak as a specialist bowling coach after agreeing on a two-year contract, the local cricket board (BCB) said yesterday.

The 40-year-old Streak, who played in 65 Test matches and 189 one-dayers, had been Zimbabwe’s bowling coach from 2009-13 and will join Bangladesh prior to next month’s three-match ODI series against India. “I look forward to the challenge of working with the Tigers and thank BCB for the opportunity,” the former all-rounder said in a statement.

“It is exciting for me to be back into the international coaching arena again. It is my passion to coach at an elite level and I hope I can bring my experience as a former player and coach to the Bangladeshi bowlers.”

Earlier this month, former Sri Lanka batsman Chandika Hathurusingha was named as head coach of the Bangladesh national side.

Gayle headed to Germany for back treatment

Batsman Chris Gayle will travel to Germany to undergo back treatment ahead of the West Indies’ series against New Zealand. Gayle nursed the injury throughout the 2014 Indian Premier League. His franchise, the Royal Challengers Bangalore, did not reach the play-offs stage of the lucrative Twenty20 tournament.

“It started at the end of the World T20. I thought initially it was a simple thing but I went back home for a couple of days,” Gayle told Indian Express. “Then I travelled back to Dubai to play in the IPL and when I started training I found it difficult. I could not bat properly and bending was a problem and sprinting between the wickets was a problem even though you guys don’t see me running much. It was difficult but I tried my best.”

The left-handed Gayle, if selected, will welcome a prolific 100th Test match cap for the series opener, which will get underway in Kingston on 8 June. The Windies and Black Caps will meet for two more Tests - in Trinidad and Guyana - and two Twenty20 Internationals - in Dominica.

“It will mean a lot to me. I have been serving West Indies cricket for the last 13 years and going on to 14 years now, I am actually looking forward to this milestone,” he concluded.

Former England spinner Allen dies

Former England spinner David Allen has died at the age of 78. Allen played 39 Test matches between January 1960 and June 1966, clinching 122 wickets at a solid average of 30.97.

A decent all-rounder, the the right-hander also scored 918 runs in 51 innings, with a highest score of 88. The talented Allen played for Gloucestershire between 1953 and 1972, taking more than 1,000 first-class wickets.

Royals’ Cooper reported for suspected bowling action

Rajasthan Royals’ bowler Kevon Cooper has been reported for bowling certain deliveries with a suspected illegal action during the Indian Premier League match against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

The West Indian was reported by on-field umpires Rod Tucker and K Srinath along with third umpire S Ravi at the conclusion of the match. “Under the IPL Suspected Illegal Bowling Action policy, Mr. Cooper may request an Official Assessment from the BCCI Suspect Bowling Action Committee, which comprises S Venkataraghavan, Javagal Srinath, A V Jayaprakash and BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel,” said a release.

“However, pending any clearance by the Committee, Mr. Cooper would be available to be selected to play and bowl for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2015 season, but should he be reported a second time, he would be suspended from bowling for the remainder of that season.”