Former cricketer Kumar Sangakkara paid a tribute to Graham Ford’s contribution as the coach to Sri Lanka Cricket. Ford stepped down from his position yesterday, two years ahead of his original expiry of the contract, after a 15-month tenure. He was expected stay on as the coach till the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
The reason for his departure is understood to be his inability to make changes related to ‘cricket manager’ Asanka Gurusinha and national selection policies, a BBC reporter claimed. If proved to be true, it would indicate a direct role of internal politics in Ford’s final decision.
Sanga was also unhappy with the treatment given to Ford, who is an accomplished name in the elite coaching fraternity having great respect among his former sides.
Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy after defeats to South Africa and eventual title-winners Pakistan in the group stages. All they could achieve was a solitary win over India.
Sangakkara has questioned the circumstances that led to Ford’s departure and also suggested “there may not be (any) coaches left to employ” for Sri Lanka at the current rate. He also was unconvinced about the role of recently-appointed Gurusinha, the 41-Test former Sri Lanka batsman, in the team.
Ford had previously coached Sri Lanka for two years in 2012-2014 and played a vital role in taking the team to the final of the World T20 tournament they hosted in his first year in charge. He replaced former Australia batsman Geoff Marsh in the role.
“Anyone who has worked with him since the days South Africa were top of their game or to the Surrey boys, or to Kent, he has been the reason why so many young teams in transition – the word we use – have done so well over the years,” Sangakkara told Cricbuzz.
“Sri Lanka have the talent and they have the right man in charge. It’s time to allow them to freely go around doing what they can do.
“That is ‘Fordy’ to coach cricket and players to play cricket. If you let them be in charge of doing their jobs, without too much interference, it’s going to work.”
Ford’s departure comes just days after the Champion Trophy came to a conclusion. Sri Lanka, despite an upset win over India, were unable to progress ahead and were knocked out in the group stages itself. Sri Lanka will most likely be without a coach for their next international engagement, a one-day series with Zimbabwe starting in Galle on Friday.