Dean Jones expresses wish to coach the Sri Lankan team

In the latest development, it has been reported that former Australian cricketers Dean Jones has expressed his wish to be at the helm of Sri Lankan cricket team, as the head coach. Whether or not Sri Lanka Cricket is considering Jones for the post is not yet know. And if at all he is picked, his appointment will be only for the upcoming bilateral series against India.

Reports also suggested that the Sri Lankan board wanted Chandika Hathurusinghe to take up the vacant post, but the former Sri Lankan cricketer, who is also the current coach of Bangladesh cricket team, refused to offer. Sri Lanka are hosting India for a full-fledged tournament which includes 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and a lone T20I. While India looks a way better side against the Islanders, the latter had talent in the ranks and can come good on their day.

The Lankan team was knocked out of the Champions Trophy 2017 during the group stage. Following that, they lost an ODI series to Zimbabwe at home. The defeat was so humiliating that captain Angelo Matthews put down his papers. Subsequently, Upal Tharanga was made the limited-overs captain, while Dinesh Chandimal was given the responsibility to lead in Tests. After the ODI series, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe played a one-off Test which the hosts won after a brief phase of scare.

Major assignment for three people 

The series will be the first major assignment for three people – for Sri Lanka ODI captain Upal Tharanga, for India’s new head coach Ravi Shastri, and India’s newly appointed bowling coach, Bharat Arun. It can be noted that Arun was the coach of the Indian Cricket Team from 2014 to 2016 as well when Shastri was the director and MS Dhoni the captain. It will be interesting to see if the new coaching staff can produce good results in the next two years, and mould India into a force before the 2019 ODI World Cup.