Whatmore's contract will not be renewed

The Sri Lankan cricket board announced on Monday that coach Dav Whatmore's contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of May.

Whatmore, a Sri Lankan-born Australian who guided the team to their 1996 World Cup victory, will remain as coach for the Sharjah Cup.

"The reason is that Mr Whatmore has been with Sri Lanka cricket since 1995 and the interim committee felt there should be a change after such a long association," Tennekoon said.

"He obviously has done a wonderful job in his tenure, being successful in handling the 1996 World Cup winning side. And in this tournament (2003 World Cup), he did well to take us (Sri Lanka) to the semi final.

Whatmore was appointed for a second term as coach after Sri Lanka's disappointing performance in the 1999 World Cup in England.

Speaking to Wisden CricInfo from Colombo, Whatmore said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed working with this Sri Lanka team during the past four years."

Whatmore has promised to make a public statement after the Sharjah Cup.

The national team's long-time physiotherapist, Alex Kontouri, will also be replaced next month, Tennekoon said.