Atapattu - assistant coach:

Vaas – new fast bowling coach

SAJEEWA JAYAKODY

Sri Lanka’s most successful fast bowler Chaminda Vaas has been appointed as the Sri Lanka fast bowling coach and batting coach Marvan Atapattu has also been promoted as the Assistant Coach for the forthcoming Bangladesh home series, which starts from March 8.

Chaminda Vaas

Vaas, 39, who is regarded as a specialized seam bowler in the subcontinent, where he took the bulk of his wickets with his canny left arm bowling, played an integral part in the 1996 World Cup triumph. His 355 Test wickets and 400 ODI tally of wickets has made him a ‘legend’ as only four bowlers have over 400 scalps in the ODI history.

Sri Lanka’s most economical bowler, who owns the world record ODI figures of 8 for 19 against Bangladesh, took to coaching with qualification from Australian Level II category. Vaas’ special ability to sedate batsman earned him a coaching capacity for New Zealand pace attack in last November, when the Black Caps were able to level the three-match Test series 1-1.

Forty-two-year-old Atapattu, who had been Sri Lanka’s most technically sound batsman and sharp fielder in his playing days, was promoted as Assistant Coach to Graham Ford with his current post.

Atapattu scored 5,502 runs in 90 Test and 8,529 runs in 268 ODIs during his illustrious career from 1990 to 2007.

His trademark high elbow cover drive shot pleased the spectators during his playing days. Atapattu captained Sri Lanka for three years from 2003 to 2005.

He missed the rare opportunity to captain Sri Lanka in a World Cup after he was sidelined due to an injury and deprived him playing in the 2007 World Cup sitting in the bench.

The outgoing fast bowling coach, Champaka Ramanayake will serve as the fast bowling coach of Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad. Currently, the Sri Lanka cricket team is ranked sixth in the ICC Test ranking and SLC is looking forward to rise in rankings with the bold changes. According to the SLC Media Secretary Rajith Fernando, the appointment of Chaminda Vaas and Marvan Atapattu as Fast Bowling Coach and Assistant Coach had been not confirmed at the time of going to press.

“We, as SLC, have not officially confirmed any appointment upto this moment,” said the SLC Media Secretary.