Ramanayake replaces Ratnayake as the bowling coach

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) have announced that former Sri Lankan fast bowler Champaka Ramanayake has taken over from Rumesh Ratnayake as the country's fast bowling coach.

Ratnayake's successful stint with the BCCSL coincided with emergence of a number of promising fast bowlers - including Dilhara Fernando, Ruchira Perera, Dinusha Fernando, Akalanka Ganegama, Ishara Amarasinghe and Prabath Nissanka - but was ended when the Asian Cricket Council recently poached him.

Ratnayake had also worked closely with West Australian fast bowling expert Darrel Foster to set-up and manage the BCCSL fast bowling academy.

The Galle-based Ramanayake had worked as an understudy to Ratnayake. The 36-year-old played 18 Tests and 62 One-Day Internationals for Sri Lanka after making his debut in 1987. He continued to play first class cricket for Galle CC after his international retirement and regularly played in the Lancashire League in England.

Pramodaya Wickramasinghe, 30, who has recently suffered from a shoulder injury and drifted out of international cricket after a disappointing tour of South Africa, will join-up with Ramanayake and work as his understudy.

Darrel Foster will shortly arrive in Sri Lanka for another intensive two-week programme with the Fast Bowling Academy. He will also work with all rounder Suresh Perera, who was reported in the recent Test series against India by umpire Steve Bucknor for having a suspect bowling action.