Mendis appointed Sri Lankan interim coach

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) has appointed former captain Duleep Mendis as interim coach of the national team. Mendis will coach the team for two home Tests against New Zealand later this month and a subsequent one-day series, also involving Pakistan.

Mendis takes over from Dav Whatmore, who requested an early release from his contract, which was due to expire at the end of May. Whatmore has been instrumental in shaping Sri Lanka into a top flight side. The pinnacle of his career was leading Sri Lanka to World Cup glory in 1996. Most recently, Sri Lanka reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in South Africa.

The BCCSL has drawn up a short-list of potential replacements for Whatmore, but chief executive Anura Tennakoon has so far refused to reveal the names of those shortlisted. The favoured candidates are believed to be Australian Steve Rixon, former South Africa coach Graham Ford and New Zealander John Bracewell, who is currently in charge of English county side Gloucestershire.

Mendis, meanwhile, has a wealth of experience, having previously served as team manager and chairman of selectors, as well as skippering Sri Lanka in 19 of his 24 Tests and 61 one-day games. The 50-year-old played in Sri Lanka's inaugural Test against England in 1982 and the 1979, 1983 and 1987 World Cups.

"He is no doubt one of the best suited candidates to take over the coaching of the national team during this important time," a Board spokesman commented. The BCCSL hope to name a permanent replacement for Whatmore in time for the tour to the West Indies which begins in early June.