Hashan and Chandana given SLC assignments
Upul Chandana
The Sunday Times reliably understands that former national cricket stars Hashan Tillekeratne and Upul Chandana are to given with coaching assignments of Sri Lanka Cricket soon. Tillekeratne is to be given the job of batting coach while Chandana would have the task of handling fielding.
However the significance of these two appointments is that both former cricketers will not be handling the national teams. Like the appointment of Chaminda Vaas who also was given the task of being the leading bowling coach, these two also would be handling the second string of cricketers who are in the national loop.
Tillekeratne who was one of the best No 7 batsmen in the country was a member of the 1996 World Cup winning squad while Chandana – one of the best fielders in the country in the same era, was also in the same squad though he did not play in a single match during that tournament.
Even though some may feel this is a prudent effort, some insiders feel that this is more an effort to keep a former national hero in the loop rather than making optimum use of the talent at hand.
At the same time some few days ago Hashan Tillekeratne’s wife Apsari also was given employment by the Thilanga Sumathipala administration — a job pertaining to women’s cricket.
Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Under 19 cricket tournament to South Africa which was originally scheduled for June 2017, now has been brought forward — beginning January 10 to February 10, 2017 with the added flavour of a Tri-nation ODI which also involves Zimbabwe.
After the completion of the South African leg of the tour, the Lankan teenagers will shift to Zimbabwe for a few more ODI games.
However there is a certain degree of uncertainty as far as the composition of the contingent is concerned. According to informed sources there is some doubt whether the tournament is going be to an under 18 one or a fully fledged under 19 affair.
It is learnt the Asia Cup Under 19 tournament which is already drawn up would mainly be an under 18 affair thus making room for the development of players who will face the ICC Under 19 World Cup tournament in New Zealand from 12 January to 4 February 2018.
It is said that there is a school of thought — facing the strong South African under 19 outfit with an under 18 team would be rather lopsided even if it is for the purpose of developing cricket. For the Asia Cup tournament there is a general agreement that all teams will be under 18.
Hashan Tillekeratne
The argument is there are certain cricketers like Sammu Ashan, Avishka Fernando, Pethum Nissanka and Mishen Silva who are still in school and playing cricket but who do not fit into the under 18 frame could benefit from a fully fledged under 19 tournament.
Ironically there some are glitches in the Asia Cup line-up too. It was said that ambidextrous Kamindu Mendis of Richmond College would lead Sri Lanka and Ashen Bandara from St. Aloysius College Galle would act as his vice captain. Then it was said there was a squad of 19 cricketers which also included the names of Jehan Daniel, Vishwa Chathuranga, Lasith Croospulle, Vanitha Wanninayake, Randeer Ranasinghe, Ravindu Sanjana, H. Boyagoda, Krishan Sanjula, Thisara Rashmika, P. Jayawickrema, H. Bhuddika, T. Prasan, Raven Kelly, S. Abeywickrama, N. Fernando and D. Vimukthi.
Now the cutoff date for the naming of the final squad of fifteen is long past. According to selection sources they have already finalised the final fifteen and handed it over to the SLC authorities and no one knows the reason for the delay in announcing the list of players who will be seen in action from December 10 to 22. “We handed over the final fifteen a few days ago and now it is out of our hands. May be they will announce the line up during the weekend and if not by Monday at least, if not we are running late”. The selection source commented.