SLC undecided over Dyson contract extension

Sri Lanka Cricket will decide at the end of the month whether to offer John Dyson, the coach, a contract extension until the 2007 World Cup. However, according to a report in Daily News, several decision-makers are keen to recruit a new coach.

"The Sri Lanka Cricket executive committee is currently divided on the issue of whether to retain Dyson or look for someone else," reported the state-run newspaper. "The consensus of opinion against renewing Dyson's contract is that he has not contributed as much as he has been paid for."

Dyson took over from fellow Australian Dav Whatmore in September 2003. His selection came as a surprise, given that he had little coaching experience at higher levels. But after initial scepticism, the players warmed to his style, and in 2004 the team arrested a downward slide. Dyson and Marvan Atapattu maintained a 70% win ratio in one-dayers and had Test series wins against Zimbabwe and South Africa, besides a drawn away series with Pakistan.

However, Dyson, like Whatmore before him, found the anti-foreign-coach sentiment running high. Dyson's decision, apparently without consultation with Sri Lanka Cricket, to return straight to Australia after the abandoned New Zealand tour had irked members of the board.

If Dyson's contract is not extended - or if he decides against accepting a renewal - then Sri Lanka will probably have to appoint an interim coach for the rescheduled two-Test tour of New Zealand before filling the post permanently by July, when West Indies arrive for a Test series.

Sri Lanka Cricket may consider scaling down his financial remuneration. But it is unclear whether Dyson, who left a successful career in Australia, will agree to such a move.

In addition, Sri Lanka Cricket's conduct over his contract will be watched very carefully by his potential international replacements. The poor treatment of Whatmore and the insecurity created by internal cricket politics was widely believed to have frightened away several coaches the last time the board went head-hunting.

Sri Lanka Cricket also needs to urgently decide whether to offer Shane Duff, the fitness trainer, an extension until the 2007 World Cup. He took a sabbatical to come to Sri Lanka and has now been left in limbo for several weeks waiting for a decision. If a decision is not taken soon he may be forced to leave.