Jayasuriya laments Farbrace exit

News

Cricket365
April 27, 2014

Sri Lanka chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya has labelled former head coach Paul Farbrace's departure earlier this month as "bitter pill to swallow."

Farbrace's brief tenure was highlighted by Asia Cup and World Twenty20 victories, before an unexpected resignation saw erstwhile captain Marvan Atapattu appointed temporary successor for series against Ireland, England and South Africa.

The 46-year-old Farbrace has since been named new England assistant coach – and will soon commencing preparation alongside new head coach Peter Moores ahead of Sri Lanka's visit in May and June.

"That has been the biggest disappointment for me since I assumed the post of chief selector one and a-half years ago," said Jayasuriya.

"We were doing so well with Farbrace, it is a bitter pill to swallow losing him to England, a country where we are due to make a tour.

"He knows all our strengths and weaknesses and England will certainly be ready for us, but I am sure our coaches with the help of the senior players will be able to counter that successfully."

The emergence and development of fast-bowling all-rounders, meanwhile, is at the fore of Jayasuriya's agenda for next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. While the talented Nuwan Kulasekara and Shaminda Eranga are solid with both bat and ball, the squad arguably requires more players capable of fulfilling the dual role.

"Conditions are different to what we had in Bangladesh and we need to find good fast bowling all-rounders," added Jayasuriya.

"We have about 25 ODIs from now until the World Cup and we need to identify the players who will make the final squad and give them the maximum exposure in these matches."