Sri Lanka Board To Advertise Universally For A Coach (3 Oct 1996)

3 October 1996

SL Cricket Board to advertise universally for a coach

By SA`ADI THAWFEEQ

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka are to universally advertise for a coach to take in charge of World Cup champions Sri Lanka.

This move follows the request made by current coach Davenall Whatmore on Monday, not to renew his two-year contract when it expires at the end of May next year.

Cricket Board president Upali Dharmadasa addressing a press conference at the CB headquarters said that they would not restrict the post, which will be left vacant shortly by Whatmore to Sri Lankans, but leave it open to anyone from outside who could apply.

"We will discuss how best we can fill this void with Whatmore and the team members and seek their opinions,`` said Dharmadasa.

Before Whatmore was given the task of taking over as coach of the Sri Lanka team, the Cricket Board unsuccessfully tried to get two former cricketing `greats` to take on the job - Australian Allan Border and Englishman Ian Botham.

The Cricket Board president said that at this stage it was not quite clear what the real reasons were behind Whatmore`s decision to quit.

"The reasons for taking such a decision are best known to him. I am sure it is something personal. We will know the exact position after he returns,`` said Dharmadasa, who has called for a meeting with Whatmore on October 11 after the team returns from Kenya.

The Cricket Board has been informed of Whatmore`s decision by a fax sent by Whatmore to the CB chief executive Dhammika Ranatunga on Monday.

Whatmore`s decision to quit was a move the Cricket Board had not anticipated.

"Dav is not the type who would leave midway through a contract. He has always talked to us if he had a problem. The relationship between Dav and the Cricket Board is very good,`` said Cricket Board secretary Tryphone Mirando.

According to agency reports, Whatmore is due to take up a new appointment as coach of English county side Lancashire from next year.

Whatmore was appointed coach of the Sri Lanka team in June 1995 on a two-year contract and his influence has been largely coupled to Sri Lanka winning the World Cup and becoming a strong cricketing force in the past 18 months.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)