Former Sri Lankan cricketer and present Sri Lankan fast-bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake has replaced Chandika Hathurusingha for the head coach role of Sri Lanka national cricket team. Ratnayake is now set to play this role on an interim basis for the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand.
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The former head coach Chandika Hathurusingha hasn’t impressed much the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). In December 2017, Hathurusingha took the head coach role of the Sri Lankan team. Apart from a few incredible successes, the Sri Lankan team hasn’t shown much positivity under his tenure. During his tenure, the Sri Lankan side failed to perform consistently.
In recently concluded 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in England and Wales, Sri Lanka finished in the sixth position. In that tournament, Sri Lanka earned eight points after winning three matches, and two had no results.
Since the 2019 CWC, Hathurusingha was under pressure. The Sri Lankan Sports Minister Harin Fernando recently claimed that his salary was too high according to his performance.
Now, the SLC has suspended the head coach Chandika Hathurusingha. However, they haven’t provided any further details on this.
The SLC Chairman Shammi Silva told the reporters, “Hathurusingha will not be involved in this (New Zealand) series. We can’t tell you details because this might end up being a legal issue.”
The current fast-bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake will now overtake Hathurusingha’s head coach role on an interim basis for the upcoming home Test series.
Rumesh Ratnayake was Sri Lanka’s head coach in 2011
Earlier, Ratnayake was the head coach of Sri Lanka national cricket team in 2011. Since August 2017, he is serving the team as a fast-bowling coach. Ratnayake played the international cricket for Sri Lanka from 1982 to 1993. The right-arm pacer played 23 Tests and 70 ODIs where he took 73 and 76 wickets respectively.
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From 14th August, Sri Lanka will play the two-match home Test series against New Zealand. It will be the first Test series for both these teams in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (2019-21).
After this Test series, New Zealand will also play the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka on this tour.