Cricket: Whatmore takes the reins as new Pakistan coach

Australian Dav Whatmore has been appointed Pakistan’s head coach for two years, while Englishman Julian Fountain has been named fielding coach.

The duo will take immediate charge of the team and prepare them for the Asia Cup tournament later this month.

“We have reached an agreement with Whatmore, who will be the new coach of the Pakistan team for the next two years,” said Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf. “We feel that a foreign coach can best exploit the talent available in Pakistan cricket.”

Whatmore, who led Sri Lanka to victory at the 1996 World Cup, said he was looking forward to the challenge, adding: “We will do our best to produce the best results with our available talent and I am confident of good results.”

Whatmore, 57, played seven Tests for Australia and enjoyed a successful coaching spell with Bangladesh, leading them to their first Test match and subsequent series win in 2005. Pakistan have had three foreign coaches in the past – Englishmen Richard Pybus and Bob Woolmer and Australian Geoff Lawson.

Meanwhile, Australia opener David Warner smashed a brilliant 163 and the hosts then survived an incredible Sri Lanka fightback to win the first Commonwealth Bank Series final by 15 runs in Brisbane. Australia bowled their opponents out for 306 in the 50th over after Warner’s magnificent 157-ball knock, the highest-ever one-day international total at the Gabba, had helped them to an imposing 321 for six.