Jayasuriya laments Farbrace exit
Sri Lanka chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya has labelled former head coach Paul Farbrace's departure earlier this month as "bitter pill to swallow."
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."
Latest
-
NewsHarry Brook ‘nailed on’ to start for England at World Cup – Nasser Hussain
The 23-year-old has impressed during England’s tour of Pakistan.
-
NewsMark Wood determined to pace himself after explosive England return
The quick took three wickets for 25 in Friday’s Twenty20 victory over Pakistan.
-
NewsMark Wood makes blistering return to help England reclaim T20 lead over Pakistan
The fast bowler was playing his first competitive match since March.
-
NewsTom Abell and Tom Lammonby hit centuries as Somerset seal Division One survival
Somerset clinched victory over Northamptonshire.
-
NewsHarry Brook and Ben Duckett impress as England set Pakistan 222 to win
The pair put on an unbroken 139-run stand.
-
NewsTammy Beaumont relishing Lord’s return after ‘too long’ away
England have not played a women’s ODI at the Home of Cricket since the 2017 World Cup final.
-
IndiaKisma News: India vs Australia T20I: Will the inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah solve India’s death-over problem?
At the onset of the Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma era, conservative batting was considered a primary concern in T20Is…
-
NewsAndrew Strauss plans for cricket reform labelled ‘unworkable’ by county chiefs
The former Test captain has spent the last six months overseeing a high performance review for the ECB.
-
NewsMoeen Ali admits his ‘gamble’ failed as Pakistan masterclass levels T20 series
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan helped the hosts chase down a target of 200 in sensational fashion at Karachi’s National Stadium
-
NewsBabar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan steal the show as Pakistan level Twenty20 series
Captain Moeen Ali scored 55 not out in 23 deliveries, but England were comprehensively outclassed by the home side’s openers.