Champaka Ramanayake set for a renewed stint in Bangladesh

Champaka Ramanayake, who was the bowling coach of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has quit from the position, thus increasing the possibility of his return to the Bangladesh coaching stuff. The former Sri Lankan fast bowler was appointed as the bowling coach of Bangladesh in 2008 for a two-year stint. Ramanayake resigned after the series against Zimbabwe citing “personal reasons” to end his assignment following his reappointment in 2015. A Sri Lankan legend, Chaminda Vaas is now set to replace Ramanayake as Sri Lanka’s next bowling coach.

Reports suggest that Ramanayake has received a proposal for a new job, most probably, from Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). If the 52-year-old indeed gets the contract, he is likely to work for the High-Performance Unit and with the bowlers who are out of the national side. He is also speculated to be bestowed with the responsibilities of the U19 team.

Ramanayake favourite choice of the bowlers

Ramanayake was kept out of BCB’s list for the new bowling coach a year ago. Instead, West Indian legend Courtney Walsh was brought in. BCB is now planning to hand over the bowling coach’s role to the Lankan while Walsh will be the mentor.

Ramanayake was the first ever specialist bowling coach appointed by the BCB in March 2008 after he headed Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling academy for seven years. A highly regarded coach amongst the current generation of Bangladeshi fast bowlers, he has often been credited for the rise of Rubel Hossain and Shafiul Islam. Ramanayake has been extremely clinical in moulding and guiding many of the present bowlers in their youth.

However, both the parties failed to reach a middle ground regarding pay issues. Ramanayake demanded a rise to which the BCB denied. During his time as an active cricketer, he played 18 Tests and 62 ODIs for Sri Lanka, stepped down with less than a week to go for the India series.