Whatmore to help Associates for WC

Dav Whatmore will assist Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and UAE in their preparations for the 2015 World Cup after joining the ICC High Performance Programme (HPP) in an advisory role.

Whatmore, who has had coaching stints with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, will begin his new role during the ICC HPP Support Staff Forum that opens on 14 May in Scotland, where he will also meet the coaches from the four teams.

"I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to work with the leading Associate and Affiliate teams during such a memorable period in world cricket," Whatmore said. "We have seen some amazing performances recently from these teams, and, over the next 10 months, I look forward to being able to assist in honing their performances even further.

"The ICC Cricket World Cup is the world's biggest stage for any cricketer. It takes hard work, dedication and motivation to succeed at such a huge global event, as well as unflinching confidence. I hope to be able to assist on all of these fronts to ensure that Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and the UAE fire on all cylinders from the moment they arrive in Australia and New Zealand next year."

The appointment of Whatmore, whose crowning moment was leading Sri Lanka to World Cup glory in 1996, was welcomed by the four teams, as well as by the ICC Chief Executive David Richardson, who believed that Whatmore could provide much-needed expertise to the Associate countries.

Phil Simmons and Craig Wright, the coaches of Ireland and Scotland, cited Whatmore's vast experience as a big plus for their teams in the lead-up to next year's showpiece event while Aqib Javed, the UAE coach, said that the prospect of working alongside the Australian was an "exciting opportunity".

For Afghanistan, who will be playing their first ever 50-over World Cup after finishing second in last year's World Cricket League Championship, the assistance provided by Whatmore could be crucial in helping the team overcome a packed schedule over the next few months.

"Afghanistan has a rigorous schedule of training and fixtures in the lead-up to its maiden appearance at the ICC Cricket World Cup," Kabir Khan, the Afghanistan coach, said. "This will be the biggest event we have ever participated in, and the extra support from Dav Whatmore will be an excellent addition to our preparations."