BCCSL institutes important changes in coaching structure to develop National squads

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka has instituted several important changes in it's national coaching structure with the aim of further developing crucial aspects of Sri Lanka's Cricket.

Roshan Mahanama has been appointed Manager cum Head coach of the Sri Lanka `A' Team and the Development squad , with effect from the 15th of September 2001. He will be working closely with the National Coach of Sri Lanka `A' Hemantha Devapriya.Mahanama recently retired from the National squad after a long career.

As the BCCSL is keen on developing the talents of the countries younger player's, Devapriya has been appointed to overlook the Under 17 National Development Squad, in addition to his duties with the Sri Lanka `A' Team.

Former Sri Lankan Pace bowler Champaka Ramanayake has been appointed as the new Specialized fast bowling Coach with effect from the 1st of September, 2001, replacing Rumesh Ratnayake who took up an appointment with the Asian Cricket Council. Ramanayake was earlier understudy to Ratnayake.

Ramanayake's understudy will be Pramodya Wickramasinghe, who at present is at the MRF Pace Foundation in Madras, undergoing training conducted by Dennis Lillee.

The BCCSL has taken an important step forward in the area of fielding and appointed a Ruwan Kalpage as the Specialized Fielding Coach with effect from the 1st of September 2001. This is t he first time that a permanent fielding coach has been appointed by the BCCSL and underscores the importance that fielding plays in the game today. Many other Test Playing nations have already recognized the importance of fielding with similar appointments. Kalpage underwent training with Trevor Chappel when Chappel was in Sri Lanka on a stint to improve Sri Lanka's fielding. Kalpage returned from Australia two weeks ago after completing the Level II Course in Coaching.