But with the biggest home challenge of his charges against the might of the Australians just a few days away Whatmore have not only decided to break the silence but also inject an air of confidence into his boys for what will be his second acid test against the world champions.

Interestingly enough, What-more's first assignment was the tour down under when he took over in June 2003.

And after considerable ups and downs during this period, the Sri Lanka-born Australian coach believes that he has some successes to make him feel comfortable ahead of his second assignment against the Aussies.

"It was not only Bangladesh's first tour to Australia but also the first trip for me with the team. There is a huge difference between the Bangladesh team which toured Australia in 2003 and which will face them now," said Whatmore during first day's practice at the Mirpur indoor facilities.

"We are in a much better position than we were then and there have been enormous changes not only in the team but among the players. They have had the experience of facing many good players and teams in the corresponding time, which was not the case when we first met. So, 'scared' is not a word to think about in this tour," he added.

"There is also another significant factor working in our favour that is Glenn McGrath will be missing from the tour. While McGrath and Shane Warne have more than one thousand wickets between them, his absence might prove to be beneficial for our players.

Saying that I am not ignoring their other bowlers, they are equally dangerous and it will not be an easy task to handle them," said Whatmore.

The 51-year-old Bangladesh coach made a bold statement when asked whether it would be possible for his team to maintain their recent home record of winning at least one one-day game.

"Absolutely, absolutely possible. Our main objective is to play as hard as we can against any opposition and we will definitely try to pinch a game during the tour. But we have to reduce our mistakes because you can't afford even a small mistake against a team like Australia," said a confident Whatmore.

The Australian had told soon after joining that his biggest challenge laid in trying to change the defeatist attitude of the team. Now after a one-day and Test series triumph against Zimbabwe and some brilliant one-day victories against India, Australia, Sri Lanka and recently a 4-0 success against minnows Kenya, he believes that his efforts did not go in vain at all.

"The reality is that we are going to face a team like Australia but it is also a reality that we have good record of winning matches against India, Sri Lanka and of course against Australia in the recent past. I think in one-dayers we are okay and in the right track. But Test is a different ball game and it takes a long time to be competitive on the world stage," explained Whatmore.

The Bangladesh coach was excited with the fact that Australia has decided to send their full-strength side for their first ever tour to this country.

"I am really happy that the full squad is coming which is fantastic for this country. It would be a great and good experience for our boys," said a delighted Whatmore.

This is also for the first time that Bangladeshi batsmen will face champion leg-spinner Shane Warne in the longer-version game and no doubt many are looking forward to see how Dav's charges fare against the spin wizard after handling Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralidaran.

"Like Murali, he (Warne) will also play only the Test matches. Warne is the highest wicket-taker in Tests and it will not be an easy task to handle him but we have no specific plan for him, rather we are focusing on our normal game," said Whatmore adding that the conditions can be an advantage for the home side as Australia will come from a very different South African conditions.