Rumesh set to take over as coach for Zimbabwe series

Former fast bowling great Rumesh Ratnayake is tipped to take over the coaching duties of the national cricket team for the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe, SLC sources told The Island.

SLC is yet to finalize on the replacement of Mickey Arthur, who did not get a renewal to his contract that ended in December.

While SLC has started the interview process of the applicants, it is unlikely that the officials will settle on Arthur’s successor by the next couple of weeks.

Hence Ratnayake will fit in as interim head coach. Ratnayake has fulfilled similar coaching roles, most notably in 2011 when he was caretaker coach between Australians Trevor Bayliss and Geoff Marsh.

More recently the 58-year-old has worked as Fast Bowling coach developing several young talents.

Not just the post of Head Coach, but several other positions have become vacant after a decision was taken to request everyone attached with the senior side to reapply for their respective roles.

Former captain Mahela Jayawardene will be back in the dressing room when the bilateral series against Zimbabwe takes place in a fortnight. Jayawardene is only a Consultant Coach but will have a larger say on how the team is run and on deciding rest of the coaching staff including Head Coach of the national cricket team.

Sources said that there is a possibility of SLC not considering any of the applicants for the post of Head Coach but instead would go for someone whom they know well.

South African Graeme Ford is much respected in cricket circles and has done two stints with Sri Lanka although the ending on both occasions were rather bitter.

Months after helping Sri Lanka to beat Australia 3-0, some powerful men in cricket circles were pulling in different directions and that forced Ford to step down in 2017.

However, Ford is a huge fan of Sri Lankan cricket and he has recently resigned as the Head Coach of Ireland. Jayawardene is also an admirer of Ford and was Sri Lanka’s captain during his first stint from 2012 to 2014. While it is too early to speculate, it seems all roads are leading towards Ford.

Sri Lanka will host Zimbabwe for three ODIs from the 16th January to the 21st. All games will be played at Pallekele.

Next month the national cricket team will tour Australia for five T-20 Internationals followed by a tour of India for two Tests and three T-20 Internationals. SLC is expected to name a Head Coach before the Australian tour.