96 World Cup winning team staff was not ‘well treated’: Whatmore

11 April 2014 03:33 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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On a red-carpet reception day when the two Sri Lankan players, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene hit out at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board over retirement issues, the former coach has come out openly for not receiving the "better treatment" when the team first ever won the 50-over World Cup in 1996.

Dav Whatmore has worn many hats as coach in Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Keenly following the grand-reception from his Melbourne home, Whatmore, speaking exclusively over telephone, said,”The team rightly deserved it".

Sri Lankan team's World Cup (1996) winning coach, however, remembers the days when the support-staff members were not "well treated" by the board. "This I am not saying in a complain-tone, neither we are beggars, but the fact is that there was no prize money for the members of the support-staff. Me as a coach and Alex Konouri, the team physio were only entertained at dinner", he said.

"Interestingly, the members of the winning team were gifted cars. With the intervention of ministers, the players were exempted to pay duty on those expensive cars, the cost of which then was 100,000 USD for each car. Few of them were even given lands. We are, however, not feeling bad as it is now a history", he further added.

Kontouri, now Australian team's senior physio, however can take consolation that Sri Lankan Cricket board has newly built training room named after him.

Whatmore was "pleasantly surprised" with the Sri Lankan team victory in the recently concluded ICC World Twenty20. He was also "disappointed" with Team India's defeat.

Incidentally, Whatmore was born in Sri Lanka (Ceylon then) 60 years ago. Having played seven Tests and one ODI for Australia, where he migrated during his childhood years, he returned to Sri Lanka as its coach. Apart from being coach for the national teams in Bangladesh and Pakistan thereafter, he has also served as National Cricket Academy (NCA) coach and with KKR team in IPL in India.

"I have mixed feelings for both the teams. It was wonderful to see Sri Lankan victory and I was also sad when Team India lost only the final at the end after performing so well in all other matches", he said over telephone from Melbourne on Tuesday.(Deccan Chronicle)

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Comments - 12

lkboy Friday, 11 April 2014 03:54 AM

Arjuna ranatunga said on TV that they weren't gifted anything after 96 win. contradictory to what Whatmore says.

Kiris Baba Amaray Friday, 11 April 2014 04:03 AM

Yes, Mr. Whatmore you are correct, neither our Board of Control of SriLanka or the Government did not treat the great cricketing legends Mehela & Sanga, I admit. When we won the World cup in 1996 all the players were well treated and respected, but now that scenario is completely changed. Something wrong somewhere.

Devapriya Mendis Friday, 11 April 2014 06:15 AM

The most richest sportsmen in SL are cricketers since winning the original world cup. Nothing for them to complaint now.

Wimal_Modawansa Friday, 11 April 2014 07:20 AM

Alex Konouri was also gifted a land down Kumarage Mawathe.

Ruwan Friday, 11 April 2014 07:21 AM

That is true i remember what that "big-head" guy so called captain cool said about you after winning the WC.

Ranjith Silva Friday, 11 April 2014 07:37 AM

Pure jealousy. Now What More?

Noah Don Friday, 11 April 2014 07:50 AM

Even the cleaners in Australia and England are more richer than the SL cricketers.

S.perera Friday, 11 April 2014 07:10 PM

Ana Punchihewa was ignored

kotik Friday, 11 April 2014 08:16 PM

any comments from SLC pl.? via DM Android App

Dishanstc Saturday, 12 April 2014 07:30 AM

Mr. Whatmore, let's put a few things to perspective here,
1. Let bygones be bygones- as you've correctly stated.
2. Why bring some like this up 18 years after?
3. Sri Lanka beat India in the worm up game and in the final I don't know what you're talking- that's 2-zip BTW
4.if the board treat you bad why did have a second stint with Sri Lanka cricket?

Iqi Saturday, 12 April 2014 09:51 AM

Whatmore is eyeing to be the next Indian Coach.

g hapun Monday, 14 April 2014 04:56 PM

Mr. what more, If you did something you would have been eligible to receive something in return. You can get something at someone else's expense.

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96 World Cup winning team staff was not ‘well treated’: Whatmore

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