COLOMBO, Sept 22: Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore said on Thursday he would quit only when he feels he is not doing his best to improve the Test minnows’ fortunes in international cricket. Bangladesh’s cricketing image suffered yet another blow when they lost the second and final Test against Sri Lanka by an innings and 69 runs on the third day at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium here to surrender the series 2-0.

It was Bangladesh’s 35th defeat — and 24th by an innings margin — in 40 matches since gaining Test status in 2000. They have won just one Test, against a depleted Zimbabwean side at home early this year.

“As soon as I feel that I am not wanted or not doing a good job I will go, like I did with Sri Lanka in 1996 before my contract expired,” said Whatmore, who was named Bangladesh coach in 2003.

The Australian coach was referring to his quitting the Sri Lankan coaching post soon after helping them win the 1996 World Cup.

“I will continue to push the cause of Bangladesh cricket,” said Whatmore, whose contract lasts up until the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

Under Whatmore, Bangladesh sprung a few major surprises in one-day cricket. They beat India at home last year and then beat World Cup winners Australia in a triangular series match in England in June.

Whatmore said his team had a chance of putting pressure on Sri Lanka before losing both the Tests by an innings margin inside three days.

“We gained advantage on the first days of both the Tests but handed it over to the opposition,” said Whatmore.

“Don’t forget they were 48 for four here. If the catch of (Tillekeratne) Dilshan had been taken it would have been 60-5,” he said of the dropped catch before the Sri Lankan batsman had reached double-figures.—AFP