All-local coaching staff for national set-up?
Naveed Nawaz, Avishka Gunawardena and Jehan Mubarak have been recommended for top coaching positions within the national cricket set-up but it remains to be seen whether the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will approve them.
The Board appointed Rumesh Ratnayake as Interim Head Coach of the national team following Mickey Arthur’s exit in December 2021. They decided for an extensive overhaul in the coaching structure on the recommendation of the Technical Advisory Committee and Mahela Jayawardena, SLC Consultant.
Accordingly, the Board advertised for the positions of Head Coach of National Team, Head Coach ‘A’ team, Assistant Coach Emerging Squad and Batting, Bowling and Fielding Coaches for the National Team.
After Paul Farbrace and Graham Ford turned down the offer, Naveed Nawaz is understood to have received unanimous support in the six-member committee entrusted to make this and other pivotal appointments, including Head Coaches of Sri Lanka ‘A’ and Under-19 teams.
The six-member committee, headed by Consultant Coach Mahela Jayawardena includes Director of Cricket Tom Moody, two members from the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) including its Chairman Aravinda de Silva, CEO of SLC and Head of Human Resources.
Nawaz, who oversaw Bangladesh’s successful Under-19 campaign at the 2020 World Cup, was earlier tipped for the post of Assistant Coach under Farbrace. He has held various positions within SLC during his coaching career which began in 2005 as a player-cum Coach of the NCC. He also held the position of Sri Lanka Women’s cricket Coach and U-19 Head Coach before migrating to Australia.
However, the Sunday Times learns that despite the committee’s unanimous decision to appoint Nawaz, the Board had asked the committee to recommend another name for the Head Coach position.
The selection panel initially drew a list of 17 out of the many applications received after the post was advertised in December. This was trimmed down to eight, following careful consideration of their key attributes. Ford and Farbrace did not apply for the posts but the committee decided to approach them, as they were not impressed by other foreign applicants.
Some in the committee wanted Nawaz to take over but a majority felt that a foreigner was needed. But when Ford and Farbrace, who had previously worked with SLC, turned down the offer, the committee had now turned to Nawaz.
Meanwhile, Avishka Gunawardena, who is currently overseeing the U-19 team, is tipped to take over as assistant to Nawaz or the Sri Lanka ‘A’ Head Coach position. His appointment solely depends on the Board’s decision on Nawaz. Jehan Mubarak, who is involved with school cricket at present, is tipped to be appointed head coach of the U-19 team.
Chaminda Vaas and Piyal Wijetunga, the Fast Bowling and Spin coaches of the national side, have been recommended for the same positions within the national team. SLC is yet to discuss and agree on their terms and conditions. The board has been generous with payments to foreign staff, many local coaches have said, and they hope the same will be done for domestic talent without discrimination.