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by Elmo Rodrigopulle

Kepler Wessels the former South African captain could be the next Sri Lankan cricket coach if negotiations now on prove successful.He will take over from Dav Whatmore whose contract is due to expire soon.

Wessels who was the first Protea captain after the country was readmitted to the big league after being in cricket's wilderness owing to their ugly apartheid system,has the rare distinction of also sporting the baggy green Australian cap.

Wessels was a sound opening batsman and many were the big scores he made and opening stands he was involved in.

Although Sri Lanka entered the semi-finals of the recently concluded World Cup in South Africa,there were many areas that were found wanting, which has been attributed to poor coaching. So the need for a new coach.

Wessels who was a strict disciplinarian and an exemplary cricketer, will be a good choice provided the terms offered are acceptable and the negotiations prove successful. Outgoing coach Whatmore was contracted before the 1996 World Cup which Sri Lanka won in Lahore defeating Australia led by Mark Taylor. Sri Lanka was led by master tactician and Captain Cool Arjuna Ranatunga.

After that World Cup triumph Whatmore for reasons yet unknown left and took over a coaching assingment with English County Lancashire.

With Sri Lanka not faring well in the 1999 World Cup in England,the authorities of that time,lured Whatmore to coming back.

Wessels will be a good buy and it is hoped that the cricket authorities will leave no stone unturned to see that the former South African is contracted.

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