Rumesh to take over as assistant coach

Former Sri Lanka medium fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake -- the first Lankan to hit the big time with a slingy action and who is now attached to the Asian cricket Council as one of their development officers is tipped to take over the position of Sri Lanka’s assistant coach.

According to a top official of Sri Lanka cricket, its president Jayantha Dharmadasa who is also the president of the ACC has made a request to release the former Sri Lankan cricketer for a period of two years. He is tipped to take over from Englishman Trevour Penny who joined national coach Tom Moody to take up the post of assistant coach in the state of Western Australia.

Ratnayake who is 43 years old at present made his debut as a teenager against New Zealand in Christchurch in 1983 and went on to play in 23 Test matches till he made his final appearance against Pakistan in 1992.

Though bogged by injuries through out his career, he was a very hostile performer when he was in full nick. His best effort in Test Cricket is 6 for 66 against Australia on their own soil at Hobart during Sri Lanka’s tour of Australia in 1990/91. He was also a star in Sri Lanka first Test victory in 1985 against India when he captured 6 for 85 in the second Test at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium. In his 23 appearances Ratnayake captured 73 wickets. He also played 70 One Day Internationals for Sri Lanka and bagged 76 wickets.

Meanwhile the search for the national coach is on with several names of cricketers of yesteryear being bartered around. According to our source the names of former New Zealand cricketer and Indian coach John Wright, West Indian opener Gordon Greenidge, Australian wicket keeper Steve Rixon, English opener Graham Gooch and a few others are in the fray.

Meanwhile it is also reported that Sri Lanka will host an under 19 triangular series against India and Bangladesh running from July 1st to August 2nd, while the Indian National cricket Academy will also make a visit to Sri Lanka commencing August 8.