Mahela Jayawardene to join the England side as batting consultant. The prolific batsman will, ESPNcricinfo understands, be part of the England coaching team travelling to the UAE for the Test and limited-overs series against Pakistan. England will also 2016 World T20.
Mahela Jayawardene is to join Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace as a batting guide to England batsmen during the Pakistan series in UAE. He was approached by ECB in July.
ECB approached Jayawardene as his expertise against spin will help England to find a answer against Pakistan’s spinn.
Jayawardene will not be appointed for long term basis, his contract will be for a certain amount of days a year, much in the manner that Mustaq Ahmed in his perriod as spin consultant.
Jayawardene has an outstanding record as a batsman across the formats in an illustrative 18 years international career.
England will not only tour UAE to play Pakistan, but they will also tour India and Bangladesh where pitches are traditionally spin friendly. Meanwhile, they will host Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Jayawardene shares a good relationship with current England coach Trevor Bayliss and assitant Paul Farbrace, since their spells with Sri Lanka cricket team.
However, Jawardene may have reason to feel good, but his fans back in the country are happy with his idea as they were expecting the legend would help the Sri Lanka cricket which is currently going through the transition phase. But, it seems that ECB’s greater wealth and instability in Sri Lanka cricket attracts Jayawardene.