The White Lightning, Allan Donald commenced his two-month stint with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) with a press briefing which was held on Tuesday evening at SLC Headquarters.
“We are of the view that we have to strengthen every possible angle of our national team’s performances. Therefore, we are constructively planning for Sri Lanka to win this Champions Trophy, so, we cannot find anyone better than Allan Donald to help out our fast bowlers in England.” Sri Lanka Cricket President, Thilanga Sumathipala said.
Photos : Consultant Fast Bowling Coach – Allan Donald – Press Conference
Donald, who picked up 272 ODI wickets during his 12-year international career, will link up with the Sri Lankan side at the residential camp at the Pallekelle International Stadium from May 9th to 16th.
“The addition of a legend like Allan Donald will be an invaluable step up for us especially in English conditions. It is now up to us to give it our all in the middle and firmly raise the flag on high” Captain Angelo Mathews was quoted by SLC in a press release.
Sri Lanka Cricket’s Resource Team for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2017
1. Asanka Gurusinha – Team Manager
2. Ranjith Fernando – Tour Manager
3. Graham Ford – Head Coach
4. Allan Donald – Consultant Fast Bowling Coach
5. Nic Pothus – Fielding Coach
6. Nick Lee – Trainer
7. Ajantha Wattegama – Physiotherapist
8. Sriram Somayajula – Analyst
9. Rohan Priyadharshana – Masseur
“I’m very privileged to be working with Sri Lanka Cricket. I just think playing in England is a different challenge. This tournament (ICC Champions Trophy) is brutal because if you make a mistake, you can be out next. I believe the Sri Lankan attack has what it takes to win the tournament.” Consultant Fast Bowling Coach Allan Donald said.
Read More : Allan Donald as consultant to Sri Lanka fast bowlers
This will be Donald’s fifth assignment with a national team having previously worked with South Africa, England, New Zealand and most recently, Australia. He also spent some time coaching Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League.
“It was not the best way to get out of your home World Cup in 2003; it was a horrible time for South African Cricket. I think I’ve been through a number of disappointments and 1999 World Cup will be the worst disappointment in my career.” Donald spoke about South Africa’s unsuccessful ICC campaigns in the past.
Donald also stressed that he would work with the young emerging team’s seamers as well in his short stint. The 50-year-old was not allowed to coach Kent this season after missing out on necessary UK work permit to join the county side on time as the assistant coach, and is expected to take up the role only in 2018.
“He (Malinga) knows what he needs to perform at the optimum for Sri Lanka. He’s world class, leader of the bowling group, an astute character and he would know what it takes Sri Lanka to go all the way. Miles and the legs is what probably he needs right now and I know Twenty20 cricket is not ideal but I have no doubt in the caliber and quality that Malinga is.” Donald further stated on Sri Lanka’s bowling spearhead, Lasith Malinga who is set to return to the ODI format after a lengthy absence of over one and half years due to injury.
 with a press briefing which was held on Tuesday evening at SLC Headquarters.){kind=link}