Whatmore takes India NCA job
Renowned coach Dav Whatmore has accepted a job with India's cricket academy four months after being snubbed for the post of the national team's head coach.
The former Australian Test batsman, 53, will take over as director of operations at the Bangalore-based National Cricket Academy later this month, the academy's newly-appointed chairman Ravi Shastri said on Wednesday.
"I am glad to have Whatmore on board because he is one of the best in the business," said Shastri, an ex-India captain and noted television commentator.
"He will be at the academy for three years."
Whatmore, who shot to fame after masterminding Sri Lanka's World Cup win in 1996 and served Bangladesh with distinction for four years, was seen as the likely choice for the India job when Greg Chappell quit after the World Cup.
But Indian officials did not even invite Whatmore for an interview and are still hunting for a permanent coach after South African Graham Ford declined to accept their offer.
Whatmore, who was also overlooked by Pakistan following the death of their national coach Bob Woolmer, said he looked forward to working at the academy.
"It did not take me long to realise there's value in being associated with it," Whatmore was quoted as saying in the local media.
"I can give something. I've known Ravi (Shastri) for a number of years. We understand each other well and I'm looking forward to a formal association with him."
Whatmore played the last of his seven Tests for Australia in 1979, ending his short career with 293 runs at an average of 22.53.
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