Ramanayake resigns as SL bowling coach, hints of joining BCB

There are a few vacant spaces which the BCB is looking to fill, namely the posts of batting coach, spin bowling coach and national team physio. BCB has decided not to continue with Tigers batting consultant, Sri Lankan Thilan Samaraweera, after his contract expired following the 2017 Champions Trophy. Earlier in September last year, Samaraweera was appointed the batting consultant of the Tigers and was given an extension till the Champions Trophy this year, but it was learned that the board was not happy with his work. According to sources, the players were not happy with the Lankan's effort, which they duly informed to the board. BCB was looking for a long-term appointment for this post but as the 2019 World Cup is just two years away, the board is likely to go for a short-term solution. Among the names being discussed, former Australia first-class cricketer and coach Mark O’Neill’s name has been heard strongly.

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Meanwhile, it was also learned that the board has shown its interest of hiring another former Lankan, bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake. He worked as the Tigers fast bowling coach back in 2008 with great success. The 52-year old has already resigned from the bowling coach post of Sri Lanka ahead of their home series against India, citing personal reasons. Former Lankan paceman Chaminda Vaas will take over his position. According to sources, Ramanayake will work in the BCB’s High Performance Unit as a consultant while West Indies legend, Tigers bowling coach Courtney Walsh, will remain with the national team.

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On the other hand, BCB is still waiting for reply from incumbent physio Thihan Chandramohan as he did not join the training camp ever since the conclusion of the Champions Trophy. BCB informed that Chandramohan, who had joined the Bangladesh team during the Sri Lanka tour before his stint was extended till the Champions Trophy in June, had an accident earlier this month, causing him to miss the start of the training camp on July 10. Chandramohan is still in hospital and the board will only start looking for a new physio after he informs about his likely availability. At the moment Bayezidul Islam Khan, along with the other BCB physios, are working with the cricketers in the training camp. BCB however, is not immediately thinking of appointing a spin bowling coach. However, there are talks of Indian left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi joining the Tigers camp as the spin bowling consultant. It is yet to be confirmed though.