DHAKA: Former Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore started work on Sunday as the new Zimbabwe cricket coach ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

Zimbabwe Cricket announced the former Sri Lanka and will be in charge of the African side at the tournament, which starts mid-February, after Stephen Mangongo was fired on December 18.

Whatmore, who is 60, and Zimbabwe Cricket are hoping to sign a longer-term deal after the World Cup.

Under the deal, Zimbabwe players will also receive coaching from Whatmore's Dubai-based cricket academy.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe has failed to clinch a deal with former captain and coach Dave Houghton as Whatmore's assistant and team batting coach due to his commitments with English county side Middlesex.

Source: sbs.com.au

BDST: 1620 HRS, DEC 28, 2014