Bayliss arrives in the island

CRICKET: Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Australian coach Trevor Bayliss arrived in the island yesterday along with his countryman Jade Roberts who will be the team’s new trainer for the coming season.

Bayliss has replaced another Australian Tom Moody who recently guided Sri Lanka to the ICC World Cup final in the West Indies before joining Western Australian State side.

Roberts has replaced C. J. Clarke as the new trainer while Sri Lanka’s assistant coach Paul Farbrace who replaced Trevor Penny is expected in the island next week and will commence training and practice from August 18. Bayliss’s first assignment will be the Twenty/20 World Cup in next month, followed by a five-match one-day series against England in October.

All national players who are currently on a month’s break from cricket after the Bangladesh series will have to report to Colombo by August 20 with the exception of those playing county cricket.

The Sri Lankan team is scheduled to leave for South Africa for the inaugural Twenty/20 World Championship on September 5.

C.D.