According to reliable sources, fielding coach Nic Pothas might take over from Graham Ford as the interim head coach of Sri Lanka national cricket team for the upcoming Zimbabwe series.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ team coach, Avishka Gunawardena is also most likely to work with the national team as the batting coach, while Champaka Ramanayake is set to return as the fast bowling coach after being left out of the touring party to the ICC Champions Trophy.
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With Ford unavailable for training, the SLC think-tank has hurriedly taken this decision to appoint 43-year old former South African wicket-keeper batsman, to guide the 30-man preliminary squad which started training this week. The five-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe is set to start on 30th June in Galle.
Ford was appointed as the Sri Lankan national coach for the second time last year and had signed on until the end of the 2019 World Cup. The Sunday Times reported that Ford left the country without handing over his resignation but with the intention of not returning back due to continuous disputes with the current administration and Cricket Manager Asanka Gurusinha.
Upon returning from a disappointing campaign in England & Wales where Sri Lanka exited from the group stages Ford said,” As the coach, I saw what that defeat meant to the players and I know the whole country was hurt but the players were affected much more than that.”
Read More: I know the whole country was hurt but the players were affected much more than that- Graham Ford
ThePapare.com failed to contact SLC CEO Ashley De Silva and Secretary Mohan De Silva who are currently overseas. Sri Lanka has had nine head coaches including interim appointments since 2011.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is yet to make a statement on Ford’s future and Pothas’ appointment to the public.
Await more details.
