Whatmore banks on new faces behind the scenes

Bangladesh's preparations for their tour of Zimbabwe - what amounts to Test cricket's basement battle - got underway on Sunday when the squad reassembled in Dhaka.

Dav Whatmore, Bangladesh's coach, who arrived in Dhaka 24 hours earlier, broke his players in with a gentle 90-minute workout. The real work begins today (Monday).

Whatmore has recruited some fresh blood to try and help maintain the progress made by Bangladesh since he took over. Sri Lankan coach Wayne Matawo will work with the lower-order batsmen, and Trevor Chappell, the former Bangladesh cricket coach, will undertake a three-week stint as fielding coach. Anthony Stewart, a psychologist, will arrive on Wednesday (January 7).