Hathurusingha sees opportunity for struggling Lanka

Hathurusingha said he would streamline the selection process which he believed could revive the sagging fortunes of the team.

Published : Dec 20, 2017 20:11 IST , Colombo

 Sri Lanka has turned in its worst performance this year, since 1987. Out of a total of 29 ODIs it has won only five while losing 23.
Sri Lanka has turned in its worst performance this year, since 1987. Out of a total of 29 ODIs it has won only five while losing 23.
lightbox-info

Sri Lanka has turned in its worst performance this year, since 1987. Out of a total of 29 ODIs it has won only five while losing 23.

Chandika Hathurusingha said he scents opportunity as the new head coach of Sri Lanka despite a string of humiliating defeats. "It will not be pressure but an opportunity," the 49-year-old former Test batsman told reporters after being named to the post on December 8.

"I am proud to take this opportunity to coach my own country to maximise the potential that we see from outside."

Hathurusingha also said he would streamline the selection process which he believed could revive the sagging fortunes of the team.

Sri Lanka this year has turned in its worst performance since 1987. Out of a total of 29 ODIs it has won only five while losing 23.

In Tests, it lost eight matches including a 3-0 pasting at home at the hands of world number one India.

During its continuing tour of India, Sri Lanka lost a three-match Test series 1-0 and the subsequent one-dayers 2-1.

It travels next to Bangladesh for a tri-series also involving Zimbabwe, followed by a two-Test rubber with the host.

Hathurusingha resigned as Bangladesh's coach in October after guiding the national team through its most successful period in his three years in charge, masterminding Test wins over England and Australia.

His contract with the Bangladesh Cricket Board was due to run until World Cup 2019 and made him one of the world's highest-paid cricket coaches on $40,000 a month.

The Sri Lanka post had been vacant since South African Graham Ford quit in June.

Nic Pothas, the fielding coach, was asked to fill the position in the interim.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment