Marvan’s term extended, Kalpage faces axe
National head coach Marvan Atapattu’s term has been extended till the end of the Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka next month before Sri Lanka Cricket would advertise the position, it is learned.
However, the assistant coach’s position currently held by Ruwan Kalpage will go under hammer immediately after the present South African tour.
Marvan Atapattu (R) will miss Ruwan Kalpage (L) in the Sri Lankan camp after the ongoing tour - Pic by Amila Gamage
Atapattu who took over the Lankan reins after the sudden departure of Paul Farbrace who jumped camp to the England dressing room was initially appointed as head coach for the England and South African tours, but, now the SLC hierarchy has decided to give him another tour. However, even Atapattu is open to apply for the position, when it is advertised, the Sunday Times learns.
Meanwhile Kalpage who is also the fielding coach of the national squad is under fire. The national Coaching and Cricket Committee noted that since the last tour of Pakistan early this year, the standard of fielding has been deteriorating in the National and the ‘A’ team and they felt that immediate steps should be taken to address it.
The fielding coach’s position will be advertised shortly.
The coaching problems even persist in the junior grades, too. It was decided that Naveed Nawaz who is the national Under 19 coach would be relieved from his activities and applications will be called for a new coach. However Nawaz may be retained as one of the batting coaches at that level.
It was also recommended that efforts be made to get down Alex Kontouri to conduct a 3-4 day workshop for trainers as early as possible to pass down the most up-to-date concepts and methods connected with modern cricket fitness training. Besides, it was also felt that with the World Cup looming around, it may be necessary to hire a consultant coach with experience of playing in Australia, and the SLC should keep an eye on possible candidates.
Meanwhile Sachithra Senanayake whose bowling action was turned down by the Bio Mechanists at the Cardiff University would travel to Western Australia soon to work with Bio Mechanical expert Daryl Foster in a private capacity. It is only after this stint that the SLC would seek another date for Senanayake’s action to be scrutinised by the ICC at the Cardiff University.
However, insiders feel that this may not happen prior to Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka.
The Sunday Times learns the authorities are making an honest bid to rectify the bent arm syndrome in Sri Lanka. They have appointed former International Umpire T.H. Wijewardena as the Umpires Educator and he would be working with the local umpires updating them on the subject.
Meanwhile, a Chennai medical university’s expertise on suspect bowling actions has drawn the attention of Sri Lankan authorities. The university, sources say, is to get the ICC’s stamp of approval to carry out bio-mechanic tests on reported bowlers. Now the SLC is likely to explore the possibilities of some of the SLC physiotherapists having diplomas to follow short higher education courses at this university.
Finally the question of not using artificial lights, during periods of fading natural light in ODI’s and Tests was also subject to scrutiny. It was decided that if the captains agree the providing of artificial lights would be a part of the MOU in the future.