Trevor Bayliss succeeds Moody as Sri Lanka Coach

Sri Lanka Cricket has appointed Australian Trevor Bayliss as the new Coach of the national cricket team. Bayliss, 44 who is current coach of New South Wales was interviewed yesterday at the SL Cricket headquarters. Impressed by his presentation at the interview, he was immediately appointed by the coach-selection committee as head coach for a two year term.

The Coach-selection Committee comprised of former Criketers like Aravinda de Silva, Sidath Wettimuny, Michael Tissera, Anura Tennekoon and Duleep Mendis.

Earlier Queensland Coach, Terry Oliver was the frontrunner for the post. It is said that Bayliss and Oliver were two of the names recommended by Moody.

Bayliss’ s two-year term will begin in August and his first international assignment will be the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, this September.

Bayliss joins the ‘Australian Coach’ club as he is the fifth Aussie to take charge of the Sri Lanka cricket team. The first appointed was Dav Whatmore, who took Sri Lanka to World Cup victory in 1996. He was followed by Bruce Yardley (1997-1999), John Dyson ( 2003-2005) and finally Tom Moody (2005-2007).

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Squads announced for Bangladesh Series

Marvan Atapattu, the former Sri Lankan captain, and allrounder Upul Chandana have earned recalls to the Test and one-day sides respectively for a three-of-each home series against Bangladesh later this month. Uncapped left-hand batsman Malinda Warnapura and left-arm pace bowler Sujeewa de Silva have also been included in the15-man Test side.

Sanath Jayasuriya will be rested for the test-series, where he will join Lancashire in the absence of Muttiah Muralitharan and will return in July for the three one-day matches.

Prasanna Jayawardene will continue to keep wickets in the Tests providing Kumar Sangakkara the opportunity to concentrate on his batting at No. 3. Sangakkara, Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas are presently in England playing county cricket. Vaas and Muralitharan will play only in the Test series before going back to their counties.

Jehan Mubarak and Chamara Kapugedera, who are expected to tour to England with Sri Lanka ‘A’ team have been named for the one-day series against Bangladesh.Selection committee sources said that both players will be recalled from the England tour when the one-day series commences on July 18.

Mahela Jayawardene retains the captaincy with Sangakkara as his deputy and Sriyan Samaratne, a former Air Force cricketer and administrator, takes over from Michael Tissera as the manger.

Sri Lanka Test squad: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Upul Tharanga, Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Chamara Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Maharoof, Muttiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Malinga Bandara, Malinda Warnapura, Sujeewa de Silva.

Sri Lanka ODI squad: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Upul Tharanga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Chamara Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Jehan Mubarak, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Farveez Maharoof, Upul Chandana, Dilhara Fernando, Chamara Kapugedera, Malinga Bandara, Nuwan Kulasekera.

Courtesy : Cric Info

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