Richard Stonier, the strength and conditioning coach of Bangladesh U-19 cricket, has been instrumental in revolutionizing the fitness and performance of the country’s youth cricketers. Since 2020, under his guidance, age-level players have achieved unprecedented levels of athleticism, endurance, and resilience. Now, he is mentoring a new generation of U-19 cricketers ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup, applying his expertise and distinctive coaching philosophy to shape their skills and mindset.
Before leaving for the Asia Cup, Daily Times of Bangladesh sat down with him for an insightful discussion on his approach and the journey of Bangladesh’s rising stars. Here are the excerpts.
You have been with this team for a long time, and some players are going into their second or third Asia Cup at the under-19 level. Why do the same faces often appear, and how do you blend them with new players?
We started with a squad of 40 players in July 2024, which was then condensed to 30. When we went to the Asia Cup last year and performed so well against Pakistan and India in the semifinal and final, it was remarkable. Not only did we win the tournament, but in just four months, we could see how far we had come. Being together showed the players’ development, how quickly they bought into Navid’s plans, the coaching staff’s plans, and my plans. It was about trust and commitment, and it showed us their capabilities very early on.
How do you manage the boys despite a packed schedule throughout the years?
We have had a very busy schedule over 20 months, including camps, training, and tours in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and England. Unfortunately, we didn’t play much in England due to the weather. We also had a home series against Afghanistan, so there is a lot of cricket and a lot of volume. Credit goes to the BCB. I believe their under-19 program is among the best in the world in terms of vision, goals, and investment in players with facilities, hotels, food, and equipment. Since 2020, the improvements have been significant.
How do you evaluate BCB’s steps regarding the under-19 program, having been with the team for six years?
Over the past six years, BCB has recognized how valuable this program is, which is why I enjoy being part of it. We get the opportunity to create, develop, and persevere. It is great to take a step back and watch the boys mature, take accountability, and own their actions. At the end of the day, it is their body, and they have to be as robust and dynamic as possible.
Since you have been here for many years, you have seen players rise and fall. How are you enjoying your work, and what fitness drills do you love to do with them?
Every player is different physically and mentally, so a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. We try to find a balance, sometimes using a little discipline and structure, and spending time one-on-one to discover what works best for each player. Over time, we develop these routines to suit them.
If you were to sum up your journey as BCB’s strength and conditioning coach, what would you say?
It’s always good. This group is totally different from the 2020 group and that’s what makes this sport so beautiful and special. There are so many unique players, unique athletes. But I always say, if I see ability, I will challenge it. That’s the key. I will always challenge their ability. They might not think it, they might not see it, they might say, Richie’s being hard on us, Richie’s doing this to us. But if I challenge their ability, make them a little bit more robust, a little bit stronger, the rewards will come.
Do the players listen to you?
Absolutely. They come to me for guidance, and I remind them to be patient. I even speak to them in Bangla with the skills I have learned, saying “Dhorjo,” and after sessions, I ask “Bujchos?” They always reply, “Bujhchi, Bujhchi.”
How would you compare the World Cup-winning batch with the current batch in terms of fitness?
To be honest, as a coach, practitioner, trainer, whatever you want to call me, I would say this group. This group has been blessed to have not only a better me, not a better me, but we’ve had more opportunities to use. Better facilities to explore different avenues. You know I can train them literally anywhere. I can train here.
But we use the term, in our world like athletic development. And sometimes you do need additional tools to make the players understand the value of that. So these boys have been bought into my ways very early on. And we’ve sustained that over that period of time. And nothing’s changed. Even today, you know, eight to nine boys have been with me in the gym and that’s a great way.
You say players don’t always need a rigid purpose, as long as they feel great and train with intent. What drives that philosophy?
I always ask the players, “How does it feel?” If they feel great, that is all that matters. It doesn’t always need a specific purpose, as long as they train with intent and feel good while doing it.
How do you evaluate this team going forward into the Asia Cup, having been with them for 20 months?
I think what people have to understand is that I believe that we’ve already started the pathway in terms of more players hopefully representing the national team. That’s the number one goal. It’ll always be the number one goal. From a success standpoint, moving into the Asia Cup, do I believe we can win that trophy again? Of course, I can. 100 million percent. I believe in the boys.
How do you motivate them before a big stage tournament like the Asia Cup?
I said the other day to them, I believe you’re the best team in the world. Do you believe it? Their response on our WhatsApp group was that they believe it.
In your view, what sets Tamim apart as a captain, especially as the defending champion going into the Asia Cup?
Tamim is a great captain and a fantastic leader, probably more popular than I am, which I like. A captain should focus on one job, but he does four. He is heavily involved, drives the boys, and leads from the front in running sessions, gym sessions, and skill sessions. That is why I am confident in this group. They are exceptionally talented and skillful, and I believe they can be even better.
We had the chance to speak with Mario Villavarayan, the former SCC of BCB, who said, “Cricket fitness is beyond training.” What exactly did he mean?
Cricket fitness goes beyond training. In a 50-over game, players need explosiveness, stamina, and resilience. They have to bat long periods, bowl 60-ball spells, and field at full intensity. Our training evolves constantly to prepare players physically and mentally for these demands and the grueling schedules. People often only see the matches, but managing practice, workload, and recovery is equally important.
The reward is seeing a player make an extraordinary catch or save in the 49th over, proving their fitness and focus are sustainable. Cricket is faster and more dynamic than ever. Mistakes happen, but what matters is giving 100 to 150 percent commitment. Attitude over ability is my mantra. Discipline, positive intent, and a professional lifestyle make the difference. This is the life you choose as a professional cricketer.
Has language been a barrier for you in teaching them?
Some boys could not speak a word of English a year ago but can now communicate. Even if I am not here, Bangladesh will have foreign coaching staff who speak English, and that will only improve the players. I always tell the boys to focus on the small things they can control, because small changes can make a significant difference in performance and career.
