Dav Whatmore was born in Sri Lanka before emigrating to Australia as a child. A right-handed batsman and brilliant slip fieldsman, he scored prolifically in the Sheffield Shield for Victoria, going onto play seven Test matches for Australia during the Packer era with modest success. He retired in 1988-89 to pursue a career in coaching.

He masterminded Sri Lanka's famous World Cup win in 1996, and after a brief spell at Lancashire - where he saw them win a one-day double in 1998, and the National League in 1999 - went back for a second term. His greatest challenge, however, came in 2003, when he took over as Bangladesh's coach, and immediately brought a new optimism and discipline to a team that had not won a single match for four years.

But Bangladesh continued to be routinely beaten (often by huge margins), although Whatmore was adamant that the team would turn the corner. Finally, the moment that Bangladesh cricket had been waiting for arrived, when they beat Zimbabwe at Chittagong, and went on to claim their first series win by drawing at Dhaka - Whatmore joining in the joyous scenes on the outfield. He has also improved their one-day fortunes, a victory over India and a comeback from 2-0 down to beat Zimbabwe suggested Whatmore's optimism was bringing rewards.

There continued to be ups and downs. In 2005 his side memorably beat Australia at Cardiff and the following year they gave account a good account of themselves in a home Tests series against the same opposition. But they also struggled against Zimbabwe in the same year. At the 2007 World Cup Bangladesh beat India, helping to send their neighbours packing, and qualified for the Super Eights. It wasn't enough to keep Whatmore interested, and he quit at the end of the tournament.
Cricinfo staff April 2007

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Feb 23, 2008 India Under-19 coach Dav Whatmore engages in a spot of football © George Binoy

Oct 19, 2007 Dav Whatmore © Cricinfo Ltd

Jun 21, 2007 Dav Whatmore departs after being interviewed for the Pakistan coaching job © AFP

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