Mendis appointed Sri Lankan coach for West Indies tour

Duleep Mendis will be the coach for Sri Lanka's forthcoming tour to the West Indies after the Lankan board (BCCSL) failed to find a suitable long-term replacement for Dav Whatmore.

Mendis, a former Sri Lankan captain, was appointed as an interim coach for the recent New Zealand Test series and the Bank Alfalah Cup after Whatmore requested early leave from his contract which expires at the end of May.

The board had hoped to find a permanent replacement in time for the West Indies tour but the leading candidates - Bob Woolmer, John Bracewell, Steve Rixon and Graham Ford - all made themselves unavailable.

"Duleep (Mendis) will continue for the West Indies tour," confirmed Anura Tennekoon, the BCCSL chief executive. "When the new cricket board comes in we will have to decide whether to advertise or to headhunt for a new coach."

Other contenders for the post include Greg Chappell, the former Australian captain and coach of South Australia, who has indicated that he would not be interested in a full-time job, and John Dyson, the former Australian batsman.