Whatmore named Zim coach

Whatmore replaces Stephen Mangongo who was fired less than two weeks ago over the national side's poor showing during a recent tour of Bangladesh.

"His initial assignment is to see us through to the World Cup," Wilson Manase, Zimbabwe Cricket chairperson said, "and thereafter we shall work out another long-term contract." 

"He has a wealth of experience at the highest level of coaching."

Whatmore, 60, who has previously coached Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will be assisted by former Zimbabwe international Douglas Hondo who will also be the bowling coach, Manase said.

Zimbabwe Cricket dismissed Mangongo as cricket coach after the national squad lost all eight fixtures during a tour of Bangladesh just two months before the World Cup.

A "very pleased" Whatmore said he has already set his sight on Zimbabwe reaching the Super 8 at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in February and March next year.

"We are going to be as competitive as possible, our first target is to make that Super 8. We will work really hard to try and achieve that," he said.