Cricket: Pubudu Dassanayake appointed USA coach

Pubudu Dassanayake, the former Sri Lanka and Canada wicketkeeper/batsman has been appointed as the Head Coach of the USA cricket team.

His appointment was made by ICC Americas as the ICC regional body also appointed Eric Parthen as the new Project Manager to oversee the strategic plan to grow cricket in the USA.

“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to coach USA, especially at what is an exciting time for USA cricket,” Dassanayake told reporters after his appointment. 

“I believe there is a great deal of talent here; it will just require hard work from everyone involved to get the best out of these players and hopefully see US cricket progress to higher honours.

“Our initial focus is on preparing the senior team for the WCL Division 4 event in LA next month. That is the first step on what I hope will be a successful journey.”

Dassanayake played 11 Tests and 16 ODIs for Sri Lanka from 1993 to 1994 before moving to Canada in 2001, where he represented the adopted country in 2005 and 2006.

He captained Canada in the Intercontinental Cup. 

Upon his retirement Dassanayake coached Canada from 2007 to 2011 and Nepal from 2011 to 2015.