Nepal are making the most of a brief presence of 1996 World Cup winning coach for Sri Lanka, Dav Whatmore, learning the trades of occupying the crease as the team prepares for the upcoming home matches against Kenya.

Whatmore is in Nepal holding a two-week high performance camp for Nepal, who play Kenya in their fifth round matches of the ICC World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) on March 11 and 13 at the TU grounds. Singling out batting as the area to improve by Nepali team, Whatmore said he is instilling the idea to bat longer at the crease.

“If there is one area which needs to be improved in general, then I would call it batting. During these sessions the boys are learning the ability to bat longer and make big scores along the way building partnerships,” said Whatmore who was brought to Nepal by Bat & Ball Foundation.

National team skipper Paras Khadka said Whatmore’s camp is very much focused on batting. “Basically, we are learning the mental approach in all three departments but we are very much focused on batting. The boys are learning how we build the innings and we will try to implement whatever has been given by him (Whatmore),” said Khadka.

Nepal are currently in the sixth spot of the eight-team WCLC, which is a gateway to the 2019 World Cup. Nepal have six points from eight games and sit two points behind Kenya with the team under immense pressure to come out victors in all the remaining matches. Whatmore believed batting will be the key for Nepal against Kenya.

“These boys have a good base of talent and there is no question about that. We need to improve a little bit going into the competition because it is a bit difficult to understand occupation of the crease and making runs at the same time. Since it is going to be 50-over games against Kenya, the team needs to score as many runs as possible to create nice total,” added Whatmore.

A total of 32 national cricketers are currently attending the camp but Whatmore said the probable XI against Kenya is all but set. “We have an idea together with the head coach Jagat (Tamatta) about the 11 players who would play against Kenya. There are one or two spots up for grabs but the team is all but set,” the former Bangladesh and Zimbabwe coach revealed.

For quite a long time Nepal’s batting has revolved around Khadka, Gyanendra Malla and Sharad Vesawkar but Whatmore wants to see other players step up. “The three boys form the nucleus of the team. Paras is a wonderful leader and a very good contributor. Our expectation from Gyanendra is to be consistent and Sharad is one of the engine rooms. But Nepal need contribution from other batsmen as well,” he added.

National team head coach Jagat Tamatta feels Whatmore’s arrival has come at a right time for Nepal. “Our boys are excited to have a chance to learn from him. Most importantly, he is looking after the batting skills which is very helpful ahead of Kenya games,” said Tamatta.