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| May 15, 2003 | Thursday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 12, 1424 |
Whatmore warns BD fans not to expect miracles
DHAKA, May 14: New coach Dav Whatmore is confident he can turn around Bangladesh’s cricketing fortunes — but has warned fans not to expect a miracle.
Whatmore, famous for guiding Sri Lanka to the 1996 World Cup, is under no illusions about the scale of the task facing him with Bangladesh.
The minnows have lost 18 of 19 Tests since being admitted to the international fold in 2000, their only draw coming in a rain-hit tie against Zimbabwe two seasons ago.
The South Asians have also not won a one-day international in four years and the dismal record has given Whatmore a straightforward objective — a win.
“I remain confident of turning around the team ... but it is going to be nothing but very hard work,” Whatmore told reporters after a meeting with the Bangladeshi team and officials here Wednesday.
“Taking charge of the team is a privilege, but I am not day-dreaming or want anybody to do so.”
“If anyone does so it will be a mistake, as the process is a long one,” he said, adding that expectation was much higher in Bangladesh than it had been when he took over in Sri Lanka.
Whatmore, Bangladesh’s seventh coach since 1990, will take in time for the team’s maiden Test tour of Australia in June.
Asked about Bangladesh’s allegedly faulty team selection process, he said “whatever might have happened (in the past), I want to make the selection process consistent.”
He will hold talks with Andre Eden, the International Cricket Council’s Global Development Manager, who arrives in Dhaka on Thursday.
Whatmore leaves Dhaka on Friday for Sri Lanka after a brief introductory tour before taking up his new job next month to join co-patriot trainer Dean Woodford and physio John Gloster.
The 49-year-old has reportedly been hired at a fee of US$100,000 a year besides win bonuses and expenses.
Whatmore will face a tough baptism in his new assignment when the Asian minnows take on world champions Australia away in July.
Bangladesh will then host England in October and November.
“It will be a very tough tour with Australians in the opposition,” Whatmore said.—AFP
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