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CRICKET

Sri Lanka appoint Chandika Hathurusingha as coach

The 49-year-old, former all-rounder will take over the Sri Lankan national cricket team on 20 December, the SLC confirmed on Friday.

Update:
Sri Lanka appoint Chandika Hathurusingha as coach

Chandika Hathurusingha has been appointed as Sri Lanka cricket team coach with effect from 20 December, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Board announced on Friday.

Sri Lanka-born Hathurusingha resigned as Bangladesh’s head coach in October after leading the team to their most successful period, achieving important victories over England and Australia.

Previously, Hathurusingha had stints with Sri Lanka as coach of the reserve team from 2006 to 2009, and as assistant to national team coach Trevor Bayliss in 2009-2010. The SLC had been looking for a national trainer since the departure in June of Graham Ford, who took over as Ireland’s coach in September.

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Hathurusingha back with Sri Lanka

On Friday, the SLC Board issued the following statement confirming Hathurusingha’s appointment. “Sri Lanka Cricket today announced that subsequent to successful discussions, and upon the unanimous approval of the Executive Committee on 6th December 2017, Chandika Hathurusingha will be appointed as the Head Coach of the Sri Lanka National Team, and will assume duties from the 20th December 2017”.

Formerly, Hathurusingha coached the United Arab Emirates, as well as New South Wales and Australian side Sydney Thunder.

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A tough 2017 for Sri Lanka

Despite defeating India by seven wickets at the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka’s year was unsuccessful. Painful defeats to South Africa, India, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Pakistan marked the Lions' year. Hathurusingha’s appointment is expected to end with the bad-run. Several players of Sri Lanka’s current major squad like Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and Suranga Lakmal, recall playing for the newly appointed coach when he was the A team coach. As a cricketer, he played 26 Tests and 35 ODIs for the Sri Lankan national cricket team.