Geoff Marsh crash costs SLC Rs. 15 million
Sri Lanka Cricket may have severed all links with former national Coach Geoffrey Marsh – the former Australian opening batsman but it has come at a heavy price – it cost the Lankan cricket authorities a whopping Rs 15,714,336.
Marsh replaced Trevor Bayliss as the Lankan national coach last year, but his tenure lasted only eight months, before Sri Lanka Cricket showed him the door, thus paving the way for South African Graham Ford to take over. However Ford too opted for an English county, Surrey, leaving the Lankan cricket hierarchy in the lurch.
 Geoff Marsh |
 Mark Davis |
 Steve Rixon |
Upon his termination, Marsh filed a case at the Labour Tribunal in Colombo. When the case was taken up, the Lankan authorities agreed to pay US$ 100,000 as a payment on ex-gratia basis and also bear the tax component of US$ 19,048. When inquired, SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga admitted that they had come to a settlement with Marsh at a cost of US$100,000.
Meanwhile, following Ford’s resignation notice, the Lankan Cricket authorities got down to the business of looking out for a new coach. As revealed by the Sunday Times, eleven candidates including three Lankan coaches — Marvan Atapattu, Ruwan Kalpage and Romesh Kaluwitharana – responded to the advertisement.
The Lankan authorities also made contact with former Australian cricketing legend Greg Chappell, but it seems that Chappell has not shown much interest on the subject.
In another development, former New Zealand coach and selector Mark Greatbatch also showed some interest in the job. But, by the end of the week that too fell apart.
However now it is learned that Sri Lanka cricket has shown interest in former Australian wicket keeper Steve Rixon who also worked with the Australian National team and former Sussex cricketer turned Coach Mark Davis. A senior cricket insider told the Sunday Times that they are more interested in a coach who is ready to mingle with the players, learn about them and play the role of a mentor, rather than a big name who would sit on their laurels.
- SRP
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