Penney in charge against Bangladesh?

Chris Dhambarage

CRICKET: Assistant coach Trevor Penney is likely to be in charge of the Sri Lanka team during their forthcoming home series against Bangladesh. Sri Lanka will play three tests and three one day internationals against Bangladesh from June 25 to July 24.

The Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee Jayantha Dharmadasa said that if they fail to appoint a full time coach before the home series then Trevor Penney will automatically be in charge of the national team.

Penney’s contract will function until the end of August and he will be in charge of the side along with Rumesh Ratnayake a former Sri Lanka fast bowler.

However Dharmadasa pointed out that Ratnayake’s availability for this task is doubtful as he is presently having a busy schedule as a Development Officer of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

Trevor Penney who represented the English county side Warwickshire for 17 seasons joined Tom Moody in late 2005 as fielding coach and will return to Western Australia after his contract expires in August. He was also England’s fielding coach during the 2005 Ashes series.

The SLC Chairman said that they have already shortlisted four possible contenders for the new job but added they are in no a hurry to appoint a new coach. He said that it is a tough task to select the ideal person and it may not be before mid-June that any announcement can be made on the new appointment.

The Bangladesh team will arrive on June 17 with the first test scheduled to commence on June 25. The second test will start on July 3 and the third and final test will begin on July 12. The two teams will also play three one day internationals on July 20, 22 and 24 respectively.

Sri Lanka of course made a clean sweep in both test and one day international series when Bangladesh last toured here two years ago.

The Lankans won the first test by an innings and 96 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium and the second test also by an innings and 69 runs at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium after having taken the one day international series by three matches to nil.