July 11, 2007	Wednesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 25, 1428

COLOMBO, July 10: Dav Whatmore has expressed his surprise and disappointment at reports that Arjuna Ranatunga has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against appointing him as their next coach.

According to the PTI, Ranatunga had a chance encounter with Talat Ali, the Pakistan manager, in Scotland recently.

When asked for his opinion on Whatmore as an option, given that the two had worked together extensively and led Sri Lanka to their 1996 World Cup victory, Ranatunga, Sri Lanka’s former captain, reportedly offered the advice that Whatmore should be avoided.

“I don’t know what his motivations were but he is entitled to his own personal views and I have no desire to get dragged into a public argument with him,” Whatmore said.Whatmore was one of three Australians shortlisted by the PCB for the coaching post, vacant since the death of Bob Woolmer in March. Geoff Lawson, the former Test pacer and Richard Done, the ICC’s High Performance Manager, are the others.

“The facts are that I have indicated my desire to coach Pakistan and, if appointed, I am confident of being able to do an extremely good job with a very talented group of players,” Whatmore expressed.

Kumar Sangakkara, who made his debut while Whatmore was in charge, endorsed his credentials to be the Pakistan coach.

“I have absolutely no doubt that Whatmore is exactly the kind of coach Pakistan needs right now,” Sangakkara insisted. “He has the expertise and the experience, including a World Cup win, the pinnacle of coaching success. I count myself as very fortunate to have broken into the national side with him as coach. It helped me to hone the right attitude towards hard work and getting out of my comfort zone that has stood me in good stead ever since.”

Ranatunga’s suggestion comes on the back of increasing talk within Pakistan that Whatmore may not be the favourite he once was for the position. Some of the players, especially senior ones, are said to be keener on Lawson, wary of Whatmore’s reputation as a no-nonsense taskmaster. According to the PTI, Talat has also given Lawson his backing.

The PCB, however, is refusing to say anything other than each candidate was impressive and that a final decision will be taken soon. —Agencies