Nic Pothas to continue as Sri Lanka coach until UAE tour

According to reports, Nic Pothas will be continued as Sri Lanka interim coach till UAE tour. The reports also gave a hint that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is in talks with former captain Mahela Jayawardene to be a part of the team management for the UAE tour against Pakistan where they will play all formats of the game.

The 43-year-old former South African wicketkeeper Pothas took over as Sri Lanka head coach, after the sudden departure of Graham Ford from the Sri Lankan cricket scene following the exit from Champions Trophy in June. He too, like many others in the background of Sri Lankan cricket said that outside interference was the reason for a string of poor performances.

“SLC won’t make decision on Pothas until UAE series against Pakistan. It is to be Pothas for UAE tour” told a top official, as reported by CricketAge. The team is scheduled to play two test, five ODI’s and three T20 matches in the tour. The first Test will be played from 28th September at Abu Dhabi. During the tour. They are also set to play their first day-night Test, starting from 6th October at Dubai.

There have been accusations that the current SLC administration headed by Thilanga Sumathipala, who is the deputy speaker of the parliament from the ruling coalition, is responsible for the team’s present status as well as chaos in the administration.

What else is brewing in Lankan back drop?

Meanwhile, Lankan cricketer Charith Senanayake has been appointed team manager of Sri Lanka A for the tour of West Indies. Previously, he served Sri Lanka national team as a manager during the England tour and historical home series against Australia in 2016. The former opening batsman played three Test and seven ODI’s between 1990-1991.

The Sri Lanka A team will play three 4-day matches and 3 ODIs between 11th October to 7th November. The last four-day match will be a pink ball match, in order to give A team players a chance to be used with the updated version of Test cricket.