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Tight-lipped Cuthbert Gordon Greenidge came out of his mute self at last.

The Caribbean coach of Bangladesh, who carefully avoided the local media for months, put in a word for cricketers at a commemoration ceremony, organised one-day advance to mark the second anniversary of Bangladesh's qualification for the 1999 World Cup, at the BKSP yesterday.

He admitted that his team could not fulfil the 'high' expectation of the nation in last two years after it won the ICC Trophy in Malaysia. Bangladesh registered their maiden appearance in the World Cup on April 9 in 1997 when they defeated Scotland in the ICC Trophy semifinals by 72 runs to set up a final clash with Kenya.

But Greenidge, who was inducted as coach in November, 1996, did not want to pass the buck only on players for a series of disappointing performances since the ICC euphoria.

``It wasn't for the lack of trying. I don't think that majority of people or supporters of cricket in Bangladesh realise how difficult a task it has become for the national team to live up to their expectations rather than to players' expectations.

``But when you compete against other national bodies, who are already established, it makes the job twice as hard. It is for us to look to improve with every game and every tournament. And that is the best we can hope for at the moment,'' said the former West Indies opener, breaking his mute spell of more than nine months.

``In the long run, the experience of playing against the top nations whether in competition, first class competition or practice matches, we hope that that would give us necessary armoury to fight in the arena of international cricket for the future

``Cricket is not just about playing, batting and bowling and fielding. It is also a brain game and if we do not have the players already in the mood of thinking how to establish themselves, how to read certain situations, we will still be fighting to meet the international standard.

``For us... for Bangladesh... to progress further in the international cricket, it is important that we look to establish a strong local fixture first. And, in doing so, in the long run, we may have a better chance,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Tanvir Mazhar Tanna, team manager for the World Cup team, told a news agency Wednesday that Bangladesh had little chance of winning any match in the England carnival. But Greenidge, whose role as coach came into controversy along with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) lately, is, however, a bit more optimistic about winning a match.

``The immediate future of Bangladesh is to perform credibly in the World Cup and I will have to say that there is one match we have to look to win. That's the match against Scotland because we will be playing the other matches against the Test playing nations. That's the match that we really have to look forward to and win. If not win, make it very difficult... not as we have done in the recent past. We have been making things to easy for our oppositions,'' Greenidge said.

``So, hopefully with the blessing and support of the nation, we will be able to do this and be creditable not just for going to World Cup but for Bangladesh cricket in the future. Let those who are watching see that the players are interested. Yes, they do have the knowledge. But unfortunately we have not been putting together regularly and, yes, we are looking to establish ourselves in the international arena of cricket.

Greenidge rounded up his short speech by saying 'this is for the future. Don't run too fast. Start and build, and work slowly to reach the target'.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Obaidul Quader, manager Tanveer Mazhar Tanna, physio Alan Hunt and members of Bangladesh team were present at the hurriedly organised programme by the sports supremo. Noted singers Shakila Zafar and Shuvro Dev entertained the audience afterwards.

But it was noted that none from the BCB attended the ceremony. The occasion however put a question mark on necessity of holding such programme when the organisers failed miserably in recent times to uplift the dwindling standard of the game.