I will make a meaningful contribution to Indian cricket: Whatmore

Bangalore, Oct 23 (UNI) The newly appointed Director of city-based National Cricket Academy (NCA) Dav Whatmore today said that he would do his best to make a meaningful contribution to the development of young Indian players and prepare them for senior International competition.

Speaking to reporters on his first visit to the city after being named as the NCA Director he said the Academy was in operation for eight years and had served the Indian cricket very well. He hoped to improve it further.

"Naturally I would like to have some changes and shift in the focus as well. But I cannot divulge that yet. The only aim will be to make it as strong as possible and to make it work well and help develop future stars of International cricket," he said when asked about the changes he wanted to bring in.

Dav said the chance to become the NCA Director came 'out of the blue' when NCA Chairman Ravi Shastri offered him the job soon after taking over the academy. "He called and we had a nice chat. After a few days of serious thinking and I decided to go along with it," he said.

The World Cup-winning former Sri Lankan coach said coaching national sides and the boys at NCA was very different but nevertheless very exciting.

He was very happy for the young T20 team that won the World Cup in South Africa in the ultra abridged version of the game. "We had a big of a taste of T20. These boys don't have any fear and I think they are very athletic and have skills as well. It is surprising as they are so young and do lack the experience," he said.

UNI