Bangladesh cricket is in the midst of a fascinating transformation, blending innovative training methods with lessons drawn from the world’s top finishers in white-ball cricket. On August 17, 2025, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) made headlines by introducing Julian Wood as their new power-hitting coach, a move that signals serious intent to elevate the nation’s batting firepower. Wood wasted no time, unveiling a cutting-edge training aid—the ProVelocity Bat—that’s already got the cricketing community buzzing.
So, what exactly is this ProVelocity Bat, and why is it causing such a stir? Well, for starters, it’s not your everyday piece of kit. The ProVelocity Bat looks a bit like a heavy rod at first glance, but it’s actually a specialized tool designed to fine-tune a batter’s hand-eye coordination, swing mechanics, and crucially, bat speed. The secret sauce? A sliding barrel on the shaft, attached with resistance bands. When a player swings, the barrel slides forward. If the swing is fast, compact, and technically sound, the bat makes a distinct “double click” sound. A faulty or sluggish swing? Just a single click. It’s instant feedback—a smart gym for your cricket swing, right in the nets.
This clever feedback mechanism is more than just a novelty. As Wood explained to the Bangladesh squad, it allows batters to gauge the quality of their swing in real time. Are they generating enough speed? Is their sequencing—the order in which body parts move during the shot—on point? The ProVelocity Bat promises to answer these questions with every swing. It’s a tool that’s already well-known in baseball circles, but its application in cricket is relatively new and, according to Wood, potentially game-changing for a side eager to keep pace with the world’s best.
But will this high-tech bat actually work on the slow, turning pitches of Bangladesh? That’s the million-dollar question. Nasiruddin Faruque, the Bangladesh women’s team’s batting coach, raised some thoughtful concerns during a conversation with Cricbuzz. “I was asking Wood about this—we in the subcontinent prefer golf hitting more than baseball hitting. On the pitches we play in Mirpur, wrist work is crucial. I gave the example of Indian bowlers—they just lift the ball within the wrist’s range. But if you go to bouncy tracks, your baseball-style horizontal bat swing comes into play. I was asking this question, and he agreed,” Faruque said.
Faruque’s point is well-taken. In the subcontinent, where pitches are slower and offer less bounce, batters often rely on deft wrist work and timing rather than brute force. Shots are guided into gaps with a flick rather than bludgeoned over the boundary. Yet, as Faruque acknowledged, when Bangladesh travels to places like Australia or South Africa—where the ball bounces and comes on quickly—the sort of power-hitting that the ProVelocity Bat encourages could be a real asset. It’s a nuanced debate, but one that reflects the evolving nature of the modern game.
The timing of Bangladesh’s embrace of power-hitting technology couldn’t be better. Around the globe, white-ball cricket is increasingly dominated by finishers—those rare players who can close out an innings with a mix of composure, power, and innovation. Just this week, a major feature highlighted the seven finest active finishers in the game, offering a masterclass in what it means to ‘own’ the final overs.
Leading the list is MS Dhoni, the Indian legend whose calm under pressure and uncanny match-reading ability have set the gold standard for finishers. Still active in the IPL at age 44, Dhoni’s legacy is built on his ability to pace a chase and explode at just the right moment—often with that trademark helicopter shot. “Dhoni remains the benchmark for every white-ball closer,” the article noted, adding that his presence at the crease is still enough to unnerve any opposition.
South Africa’s David Miller, nicknamed ‘Killer Miller,’ brings a different flavor to the role. With a strike rate north of 140 and a penchant for detonating run chases—his 51-ball hundred against Bangladesh in 2017 is the stuff of legend—Miller is the epitome of a modern finisher. He’s South Africa’s second-highest T20I run scorer and, like Dhoni, is frequently not out at the end, underlining his ability to see his side home.
Andre Russell of the West Indies is another name that sends shivers down the spines of bowlers. His raw power, coupled with his skills as a death bowler, makes him a dual threat in franchise leagues around the world. Russell’s ability to single-handedly turn matches has made him a household name from the Caribbean Premier League to the IPL.
New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips offers yet another template. Renowned for his inventive stroke-play and fearless improvisation, Phillips mixes orthodox drives with reverse sweeps and flat-bat punches. His cool head in the middle overs often sets the stage for a late-game explosion, and his fielding is top-notch to boot.
England’s Jos Buttler, meanwhile, has redefined the finisher’s role with his range of inventive shots and willingness to take risks. His 102* off 60 balls in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka is still talked about as one of the great chase-defining knocks. Buttler’s ability to marry control with chaos makes him a nightmare for bowlers at the death.
Then there’s Nicholas Pooran, the West Indies dynamo known for his explosive intent from ball one. Pooran’s strike rate of over 150 and his audacious shot-making have made him a sought-after commodity on the franchise circuit, even after retiring from international cricket. He’s the man teams want at the crease when the pressure is on.
Rounding out the list is Kieron Pollard, another West Indies powerhouse. Though retired from international duty, Pollard remains a force in franchise leagues, including the CPL in 2025 for TKR. His big-match instincts and ability to hit towering sixes in crunch moments have cemented his status as one of the original power-hitters. “Pollard has that ability to never look rattled as he backs himself in almost any situation,” the article observed.
For Bangladesh, the message is clear: to compete with the world’s best, the next generation of batters must be equipped with both the technical skills and the mental fortitude of these great finishers. Tools like the ProVelocity Bat might just provide that edge, helping players develop the bat speed, coordination, and confidence needed to thrive in high-pressure situations—whether at home on the slow tracks of Mirpur or on the bouncy wickets abroad.
As the BCB continues to innovate and invest in player development, all eyes will be on how quickly these new methods translate into results on the field. With Julian Wood at the helm of power-hitting training, and the lessons of the world’s finest finishers fresh in mind, Bangladesh cricket fans have plenty to be excited about in the months ahead.
