Cricket: Sri Lanka coach Pothas seeks free hand to lead revival

REUTERS - Sri Lanka cricket coach Nic Pothas says "too many cooks" are spoiling his efforts to revive the national team and has called for greater autonomy in the wake of yet another confidence-sapping loss against India on Sunday.

Sri Lanka were well beaten in the recently concluded three-test series against India, losing the first two matches inside four days and the last one in three to be whitewashed 3-0.

If the home fans had hoped the change in format would bring a change in fortunes, they were left bitterly disappointed as India breezed to a nine-wicket win in the first one-day international in Dambulla, chasing down a 217-run target in under 29 overs.

"You do get angry - to say 'too many cooks' is probably accurate," Pothas told reporters after Sunday's loss, voicing his concerns at the role played by Sri Lanka's administrators and selectors in running the team. "You get frustrated.

"Am I angry with the players? Absolutely not. The players work as hard as anyone can ask of them. They've been superb. Support staff have been out of this world. Brilliant.

"They work endless hours with planning and helping the boys. You can't fault anyone within that changing room."

Sri Lanka were thrashed in both tests and one-dayers in South Africa, lost a home test against Bangladesh and then failed to progress beyond the group stage at this year's Champions Trophy.