New Kolkata Knight Riders coach Dav Whatmore, 55, gave a ringing endorsement of Sourav Ganguly as captain of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team on Tuesday, sitting at the same spot in Eden Gardens where his predecessor John Buchanan first floated the multiple-captain theory around eight months
ago.
On that occasion, on March 25, Ganguly sat fidgeting beside Buchanan at the media conference held in the area between the dressing rooms. The former India captain was visibly upset as Buchanan stunned reporters with the announcement that the Knight Riders would have four-five captains throughout IPL 2 in South Africa.
Eventually, New Zealander Brendon McCullum was designated to lead the side during the tournament and it was never quite clear if he had other “captains” assisting him during matches. The Knight Rides finished rock bottom in the eight-team competition.
The Knight Riders have since got rid of Buchanan and most of his support staff and replaced him with another Australian, Whatmore, who coached Sri Lanka to their World Cup win in 1996. On Tuesday, Whatmore did not have Ganguly beside him at the media conference, but came out in full support of the man who will lead the Knight Riders in IPL 3 next year.
“Ganguly has a very important role to play in getting the best out of the players to achieve the best possible results for the team,” Whatmore said.
“You know his story better than me, about his contribution to CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) and India. Personally I am very happy to be working with him.”
Whatmore said the two-day camp at Eden, which ended on Tuesday, focused on skill development.
“We were mainly working with the Bengal boys. We had batting and bowling in the nets and looked at video footage to rectify problems.”
The coach said the Knight Riders' next camp would be in mid-January, though their foreign recruits are unlikely to attend it because of domestic cricket commitments in their respective countries. “Apart from England, I think, players from no other country will be free at that time,” Whatmore said.
Hodge to retire from first-class cricket
AP adds from Melbourne:
Former Australia Test batsman and Knight Riders recruit Brad Hodge said on Tuesday he will retire from first class cricket at the end of this year.
However, he will continue to play T20 and limited-over matches.
Hodge, 35, will end his 17-year first class career playing in Victoria state's next two matches in Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition.
Hodge played six Tests for Australia, making a double century against South Africa in 2005, and also appeared in 25 ODIs and eight T20Is.