Dav Whatmore, newly appointed Nepal’s cricket coach on his first press meet on thursday said the top priorities are retaining the ODI status and improving the rankings.
Whatmore, 66, arrived in Nepal on Sunday after appointed as the head coach for one-year starting from January 20.
“My immediate action is to prepare a team that can produce results or win matches,” Whatmore said.
“There are challenges of course, and I am well aware of them,” he further added.
“Nepal is a very strong cricket following Nation and it surprised me when I first visited in 2017. I would like to thank the Cricket Association of Nepal for having confidence in me and will try to use my expertise to improve cricket in the country,” said Whatmore.
World Cup-winning coach Whatmore said that he has some plans on how to make the team better and will motivate the players in that. The biggest challenges are for the selector as well, as they need to pick the best.
“I want a pool of experienced and young legs in the team and will try to help with my knowledge and expertise and everything with the players,” he said.
Whatmore’s first assignment is to prepare the squad for the upcoming triangular series in Oman under ICC World Cricket League 2 against USA and Oman, taking place in March 2021.
“For the triangular series, we have to select the best team and the main responsibility lies with the selection committee and then we will polish the team together,” Whatmore said.
CAN selected Whatmore as its head coach from a list of 72 players and will be paying a monthly salary of US $10,000 including tax. In addition, his accommodation and transportation costs would be borne by CAN including the return flight tickets to home.
“Bringing a coach like Dav with plenty of experience is good for Nepal cricket and CAN have high hopes,” CAN secretary Ashok Nath Pyakurel said.
“We have discussed our immediate and long-term plans and he is clear on that. We are also positive that he would do some consultation role to develop the grassroots alongside the development of age groups, and to strengthen the women’s cricket as well,” said Pyakurel.
