Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) on Tuesday has appointed former seamer Rumesh Ratnayake as fast bowling head as the Board revealed it’s delighted to have the 53-year-old on board for the pace bowling programme in the country after going down 2-0 against India, in the ongoing three-match Test series.
It’s pertinent to mention, Ratnayake will monitor the other fast bowling department including the high-performance coaching centre in Lanka.
“All the fast-bowling coaches will work under Rumesh. We will then work with the high-performance centre to get the specialist coaches in whenever the national team needs,” SLC cricket manager Asanka Gurusinha was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
According to the press release, the Colombo-born ex-bowler Ratnayake will be leading to tap the talent in Lanka, in a bid to strength the bench.
“Ratnayake will head the National Fast Bowling programme, spearheading its talent identification, skills development and training processes in cohesion with the National High Performance plan,” it stated.
The report suggested Ratnayake will work alongside some of the prominent faces of Lanka cricket including Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Dharshana Gamage, Chamila Gamage, Ruchira Perera and Ravindra Pushpakumara – to help the national side to come out of a barren patch.
Known for playing a significant role against India in 1985-86 – to help Lankans to claim their inaugural Test series win over India after bagging a nine-wicket haul, as he further went on to bag 20 wickets in the then series.
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However, Lions have been hapless after Kumara Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene has announced their respective retirements from International cricket which left a gaping hole in the team.
While thrusting on to keep improving the gentleman’s game, the SLC body has further remarked the Board has always focused on the quality rather than the quantity while nursing the pool of a talent, in the national programme — to see them rising among the ranks to join the national side at the international set-up owing to the sheer hard work.
“Sri Lanka Cricket have invested heavily over the past year in infrastructure and specialist resources for the national feeder programmes in order to identify groom and develop the next generation of talented young players from across the island,” the release further stated.
It’s pertinent to mention, SLC has been at the vanguard to improve the infrastructure and provide basic facilities to the youngsters, who are keen to represent Lanka at the highest level.
Ratnayake during his International career featured in 70 One-day Internationals and 23 Tests for Sri Lanka after he made his debut against India at Bengaluru in September 1982.
The former right-arm bowler Ratnayake bagged 76 wickets in ODIs and 73 wickets in 35 innings of a longer format game. As his best figures read as six for 66 in five-day game.
In a bid to salvage some pride, Lanka under the newly-appointed skipper Dinesh Chandimal would be aiming to give at least some fight back in the final Test which is scheduled between August 12 and 16 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Balagolla.