Rumesh Ratnayake to take over as interim coach of Sri Lanka for Zimbabwe series

Sri Lanka has appointed fast-bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake as the interim coach of the national team for the Zimbabwe tour. He is currently serving as a Fast Bowling Coach at the High-Performance Center. The two teams are scheduled to play as many as three ODIs against each other. The Sri Lanka cricket hasn’t yet provided any update on the long-time replacement for Mickey Arthur, who quit as head coach last month.

The former Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene who was recently named the consultant will not tour with the side as he will be in the Caribbean with Sri Lanka’s Under-19 side. Ruvin Peiris on the other hand was named as the ‘Batting Coach’ of the national team. The three-match ODI series between the two nations is staged to be played at the Pallekele Stadium on January 16, 18, and 21.

Owing to Sri Lanka’s upcoming series against Australia, the plans to play T20Is were put on hold. Sri Lanka recently won the Test series against West Indies 2-0 which was Arthur’s last assignment with the side.

Mahela Jayawardene had previously opened up on his appointment 

Jayawardene had previously opened up on being appointed as the consultant. He had stated that it is an exciting opportunity for him and that his main role will be to support the national coaches in their preparation.

“This is an exciting opportunity to work with the national cricketers and coaches in our various development squads, including the U19 and A-Team teams, to help us do justice to the enormous cricketing talent and potential in Sri Lanka. My main role will be supporting our team of national coaches and support staff in terms of our preparation and strategic thinking during the coming year,” Jayawardene had previously stated as quoted by Sportstar.

“We are extremely happy that Mahela is joining the National Team for an extended role, especially given the context that Sri Lanka has a heavy international calendar during the year 2022. Mahela’s contributions during the first round of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup became invaluable for the overall performances of our team in the concluded event,” Ashley De Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket had said.