Sports Minister asks national team coaching staff to step down

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In a remarkable turn of event, Sports Minister Harin Fernando has requested Sri Lanka Men’s national cricket team’s coaching staff to step down after the Bangladesh ODI Series & renegotiate their contracts via a written letter.

Sri Lanka Cricket team witnessed their most disappointing World Cup campaign in this millennium, after crashing out from the group stage, with 4 huge losses in 7 completed matches. Out of 10 countries, Sri Lanka finished 6th in the points table above Afghanistan, West Indies, Bangladesh and South Africa.

Watch : Sri Lanka’s World Cup in Numbers

The national team’s ODI form was abysmal in the last 4 years, getting whitewashed for 5-0 four times, and winning their last bilateral ODI series against a full member in 2015 November.

Right after the World Cup tournament, Sri Lanka will play 3-match ODI series against Bangladesh at home on 26,28 and 31 July.

Read : Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka: Fixtures released!

So, Sports Minister has informed the officials through Sri Lanka Cricket, to step down after this series. 

Sri Lanka Men’s Team’s coaching staff includes;

  • Head Coach – Chandika Hathurusinghe
  • Batting Coach – Jon Lewis
  • Fielding Coach – Steve RIxon
  • Asst. Feilding Coach – Manoj Abeywickrama
  • Spin Bowling Coach – Piyal Wijethunga
  • Fast Bowling Coach – Rumesh Rathnayake

Interestingly, head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe’s revealed that in a press conference after arriving to Sri Lanka after the World Cup that he is contracted for nearly another 16 months for SLC and he wishes to stay in the position until the end of that duration.

Sri Lanka will play their next tournament after the Bangladesh series also at home against the runners-up in ICC World Cup 2019, New Zealand in a 2-match Test Series and 3 T20Is from Aus 14-Sep 06. Lions are scheduled to tour Australia for 3 T20I in late October as a preparation for the upcoming T20I World Cup – 2020 in Australia.