CENTURION (South Africa) - What was called 'suggesting a crazy idea' to Eddie Barlow by his former Test captain Dr Ali Bacher, has landed the tough-minded all-rounder with the sort of challenge he is likely to enjoy at the age of 58. If coach of a country aspiring Tests status is as the good doctor feels 'the correct remedy' then Barlow, likely to gain honorary status while attached to the post, could end up an 'honorary citizen' as well if it becomes the success the United Cricket Board's managing director is hoping.

Dr Bacher contacted Barlow, who quit his last coaching post with Griqualand West over a selection policy decision, when the Bangladesh Cricket Board president Saber Hossain Chowdhury, to help him in the board's search for a replacement of the West Indian Gordon Greenidge.

This was after Greenidge's contract was terminated by the BCB the day before it was to expire on May 31 over comments in British newspapers and on CricInfo that. Bangladesh were not ready for Test status.

A couple of weeks later Chowdhury asked Dr Bacher, attending a meeting of the International Cricket Council's development committee ,of which he is the chairman, to find a 'suitable replacement' ...

Dr Bacher was soon in touch with Barlow who lives in Paarl. ``I contacted Eddie when I returned from England at the end of June and said to him that I had 'this crazy idea' I wanted to discuss with him,'' Dr Bacher added. ``He thought it over and agreed to go and have a look for himself. ``I feel that Eddie is at his best when coaching a team of youngsters, or a side which is just starting out, and recommended his name to Saber,'' said Dr Bacher, who was Barlow's captain in 1970 during the test series against Australia. Dr Bacher said Bangladesh was an area of ``tremendous potential with a deeply embedded cricket culture'' and which could, in the foreseeable future, be granted test status.The matter is on the agenda of the September meeting of the ICC.

A country of more than 150 million, Bangladesh, should they be granted full ICC membership would be the 10th country. But there are serious infrastructure problems as there is no first-class structure as it is known in the more established countries. It is felt, however, that exposure to three and four-day matches involving touring A teams from Test countries would help prepar4e the way.

As it is Bangladesh's economic development was ignored by the more powerful (west) Pakistan region when the two areas were linked and has battled economically since independence in 1972, often ravaged by monsoon rains and serious flooding. There was a certain amount of tokenism by the panjandrums in Lahore to the staging of occasional tour matches in what was the pauper member of the Pakistan 'nation'.

Because of a history of neglect and a lack of vision the game struggled and what structures there were declined until a concerted effort started in the early 1980s to rebuild the sport. But finances being what they are it has taken time and patience to reach the level they have.

Now Barlow's latest nomadic search for a coaching challenge is to help pilot the emerging talent of Bangladesh in their quest for Test status. Which is an interesting venture for the man once tipped as a strong candidate to take over from Bob Woolmer as South Africa's national coach, and one which went to the younger, more enterprising Graham Ford.

It had been said that Barlow is one of several coaches with whom the BCB are said to have discussions during the last couple of weeks with an announcement in early August.

But Barlow's acceptance of the Bangladesh post does suggest the BCB may not have had others lined up as suggested, although it was known that Bobby Simpson, who comes from the same era as Barlow and had been involved with India was considered an alternative to the South African.

Barlow is set to return to South Africa this weekend to sort out a few domestic matters before returning to start preparing the Bangladesh senior side and other players for the England A tour in October and November. This tour includes a limited-overs as well as a four day game, a three day game and matches involving the Bangladesh under-19 and the A sides.