Sri Lanka appoint Julian Wood and Rene Ferdinands as batting and spin-bowling coaches
Wood has been contracted for one year and Ferdinands for two
Madushka Balasuriya
04-Oct-2025 • 5 hrs ago
Julian Wood (here with Mayank Agarwal) has also worked with Punjab Kings in the IPL • Punjab Kings
Sri Lanka have hired Julian Wood and Rene Ferdinands as batting coach and spin-bowling coach, respectively, of their men's national team. They will replace Thilina Kandamby and Piyal Wijetunge in the roles.
Kandamby had been Sri Lanka's batting coach since December 2023, while Wijetunge has been a fixture at SLC having been in the role of spin-bowling coach since February 2006. It is understood that the decision to shake up the coaching staff was taken after Sri Lanka's T20I series defeat to Bangladesh at home in July.
Wood has been given a one-year contract. Earlier this year, he had conducted a week-long "power-hitting program" with Sri Lanka's national players and impressed SLC during his brief stint. In August, he was named Bangladesh's batting coach on a short-term contract, but they had opted not to extend it upon its conclusion in September.
"He [Wood] brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Gloucestershire CCC, Hampshire CCC, Middlesex CCC, and IPL franchise Punjab Kings, among others," stated an SLC media release.
Ferdinands will be in the role for two years, where he is expected to "lead spin bowling training, match preparation, performance analysis, and player development".
"Holding a PhD in biomechanics from the University of Waikato, Ferdinands brings extensive expertise in applying science to enhance cricket performance," stated the release. "He previously worked with the National Cricket Academy of India (NCA), delivering biomechanics-based coaching programs for elite players and coaches. A specialist in both wrist and finger spin, Rene has also served as a biomechanics consultant for New Zealand Cricket, carrying out performance evaluations and injury-risk assessments for leading bowlers."
Whether it's scoring rates or six-hitting frequency, Sri Lanka have been closer to the bottom than the top of the table over the past decade, while their spinners have frequently struggled to produce results on flatter tracks. SLC will be hoping that the appointments of Wood and Ferdinands will address these concerns.