This story is from September 12, 2018

It's a united team working towards a common goal: Dav Whatmore

It's almost been a week since Dav Whatmore joined the Kerala team for his second season in charge as chief coach of the state team. After having guided Kerala to their maiden Ranji quarters last season, Whatmore would have landed in Kerala expecting a bunch of players brimming with confidence, hoping to improve on their performance last year.
It's a united team working towards a common goal: Dav Whatmore
Dav Whatmore. (TOI Photo)
KOCHI: It's almost been a week since Dav Whatmore joined the Kerala team for his second season in charge as chief coach of the state team. After having guided Kerala to their maiden Ranji quarters last season, Whatmore would have landed in Kerala expecting a bunch of players brimming with confidence, hoping to improve on their performance last year.
Instead, he was confronted with tales of disharmony in the team, with a group of players staging a revolt against captain Sachin Baby and the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) taking disciplinary action against them.

Over the week, the Australian has been focused on overseeing the preparations of his team for the Vijay Hazare One-day tournament in Delhi next week while quietly working behind the scenes in diffusing the crisis. His presence helped as the ice finally melted with the KCA softening its stand on the players by agreeing to withdraw the three-match suspension on four of its players and limiting the action on all 13 players, who participated in the signature campaign, to a fine equivalent of match-fee for three one-day matches.
The 64-year-old is not keen to talk about the unsavoury episode of the past, strongly believing that the storm surrounding the Kerala cricket has blown over, while he is more than willing to talk about the prospects of the team and his players. "You have to move on and I think this bunch of players can. We had a meeting last night (Tuesday) where a lot of technical areas regarding the game were discussed. Everyone expressed their opinion freely. That's what I expect from the players. Believe me, this team is very united now and they are very keen to work towards a common goal," Whatmore told TOI.
However, the coach believes that the road ahead won't be easy. The team, though, did well in Ranji Trophy last year, their performance didn't measure up to expectations in the one-dayers and T20s. In the rejigged domestic calendar, the one-dayers are being played first and Whatmore knows the tournament would offer a stern test to the team's character. "We did ok in the one-dayers last year and were not good in T20s. We want to improve on that. However, the competition I reckon would be much tougher this time around. We are preparing for our first game and I feel the players are ready to test themselves in the tournament," said Whatmore.
One of the problem areas where Whatmore feels there is tremendous scope for improvement is at the top of the order. The Aussie is also expecting a lot more from Sanju Samson. "Good starts are important and it is one area where we are seeking improvement. It will also lessen the burden on middle-order. Jalaj (Saxena) was amongst the runs and wickets last season and I hope he maintains the same level of consistency this time around. Sanju did well last season but I think he himself knows he can do a lot better. If Sanju can improve himself and score big, then it will augur well for the team as well," said the coach, who guided Sri Lanka to their first and only ODI World Cup triumph in 1996.
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