Thilan Samaraweera to remain as Bangladesh batting coach

Former Sri Lankan batsman, Thilan Samaraweera has reportedly extended his liaison with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) as his stint as Bangladesh batting coach is expected to continue. The Sri Lankan has reportedly extended his contract that will see him serving in his coaching role until the conclusion of the ICC Champions Trophy in mid-2017 in England.

Thilan Samaraweera had been roped into the grand scheme of things prior to the start of the series against Afghanistan wherein he was to serve until the conclusion of the series against England. However, following the conclusion of the England series, the former Lankan batsman had been offered a contract from the central board for the next few months, something he had lesser trouble in signing.

Now he will be part of the coaching staff for the tours to New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka, Ireland and England in the upcoming seven months. There has been a major revamp in the coaching staff of the Bangladesh cricket team, something that has seen them go through a renaissance in terms of the way they play and the way they approach the game.

Akram Khan, the chairman of the cricket operations committee Akram Khan also went on to state that he had indeed received positive reports from those affiliated with Samaraweera and thereby offered him a new contract.

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“We are keeping him,” Akram told BDnews24.com. “Everyone is positive about him. The coach wants him to stay back and so does everyone else. He also doesn’t have any reservations about it.”

With Chandika Haturusingha as the head-coach, the coaching staff has been revamped under the Sri Lankan’s keen supervision. After Zimbabwean Heath Streak left his post as the bowling coach, he has been immediately replaced by former West Indies bowling legend Courtney Walsh. Richard Halsall, previously the fielding coach, has been promoted to the assistant coach’s position.