Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews does not believe former coach Paul Farbrace will be able to pass on any major new information to England about the tourists’ squad this summer – admitting “there are no secrets in international cricket”.
Farbrace, the 46-year-old former Kent wicketkeeper, joined Peter Moores’ England backroom staff after quitting his role with Sri Lanka, whom he helped guide to the World Twenty20 title last month.
It was a decision which came as something of a shock to Sri Lankan cricket.
Mathews, however, says Sri Lanka must accept Farbrace’s decision and now all look to move on, with batting coach Marvan Atapattu having stepped up into a management role.
“We had a chat, yeah. I (understood) a little bit. I can’t really get involved and speak for his decisions, he has to make his own,” said Mathews on Monday ahead of the squad’s warm-up session at Chelmsford, where they will face Essex in a 50-over match.
“He was with us for a short period of time, not a very long period of time, but in those few months, he was pretty good, and was part of our success.
“Everyone has his own choices, and we can’t really say no or yes to someone’s decision, we respect it.
“Some people (at home in Sri Lanka) were (disappointed), but it is one of those things which we have to take and move on.
“He has made his choice and we wish him all the very best.
“Now we have a coach with plenty of experience of playing the game, he has captained the country and has all the credentials to be a top-class coach.”
Sri Lanka’s summer tour began in Ireland last week, and Mathews does not feel Farbrace’s involvement with England will give them an edge when they meet for the first time in the NatWest T20 international at the Kia Oval on May 20.
“Everyone knows a little bit about the opposition, so I don’t really think he has all the inside information,” he said.
“When it comes to an international cricket team, there are no secrets because you have so many videos of all the players, of the support staff as well.
“We had guys like Ajantha Mendis and Lasith Malinga come into the team, but you cannot really hide them from playing international cricket.”
Former opening batsman Atapattu, who played some 90 Tests and more than 250 one-day games, is relishing his new role.
“Certainly there is more responsibility,” he said, “but my task has been made easier by being someone who has been in the system, being with the lads and knowing everyone who is out on the cricket field, working with the same sort of staff and management, that has helped me, but it is a different role which I am now accountable for.”
Sri Lanka have recruited Chris Adams, the former Sussex captain who has worked with Moores previously, as a coaching consultant for their tour of England, which will conclude with the Second Investec Test at Headingley in late June.
Atapattu said: “He has been given to us to give me the information I need to know, about venues and players, during this tour.
“We as a support staff will try to pick his brains to get the best out of him to improve our game and lend our support to the players.”
Mathews, meanwhile, has warned his side against complacency as they prepare to face an England team looking to rebuild in the wake of their winter debacle.
He said: “After losing the Ashes, they will be hurting, so it will be a good challenge, especially playing under English conditions, they will be very hard to beat.”
