Sri Lankan coaching staff set to be axed; Negotiations with foreigners begin

Mumbai: Sri Lankan national team will have a new Head Coach very soon, it is learnt here.

According to the highly placed sources in Colombo, the decision to hire new head coach, batting coach and bowling coach has already been taken.  

"Hathurusinghe will be replaced and a new coach, a foreigner, will be hired soon", the source, speaking exclusively, said.

In fact, the SLC officials have begun the negotiations once the "ASAP" decision on the matter was taken.

The source also revealed that two foreigners have already been hinted for the negotiations for the head coach post.

Interestingly, both these foreigners have not played cricket at the highest level, but they are high profile coaches and have dealt with the international cricketers.

In addition to this, a cricketer from Zimbabwe is tipped to be the new batting coach where as Chaminda Vaas (now working with the junior team), may be the new bowling coach for the senior team.  

"Yes, we are aware about Hathu's present contract but will face it as it comes", the source further added.  

Incidentally, Hathrurusingha may be hired by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) again. Hathu is believed to have had talks with a few Bangladeshi players.

There's likely to be a change at the top level and a few selectors are also likely to lose their jobs. "Ashantha de Mel may be retained, but many changes are on the card. There may be a few additional names as full-time selectors".

"The sports minister, Harin Fernando is considering to invite Mahela Jayawardene to head the cricket committee and he will be empowered to take cricket-related decisions, like selecting the selectors etc. This may happen after August 15 as Mahela is set to leave for Canada where Global T-20 is to be played after the World Cup.

Interestingly, Asanka Gurusinha, the High Performance Manager is also set to be axed. He may be replaced by a high profile coach Dav Whatmore. Dav Whatmore, who was Sri Lanka's World Cup winning coach in 1996 has worked with the Pakistan and Bangladesh national teams. He may be hired to spot talents in the country.

He is at presently associated with India's Kerala Ranji Trophy team. His three-year term is getting over this year. Besides this, he has a three-month notice clause in his contract.