Kaluwitharana coach of Development Squad to Bangladesh

Ranjan ANANDAPPA

CRICKET: Former Test and ODI wicketkeeper and opening batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana will be in charge of a Sri Lankan cricket squad for the first time since his retirement from the game in 2005.

He has been appointed as the coach of a Development Squad which is scheduled to leave for Bangladesh on April 28 to May 25 for a series of cricket matches which includes five one-dayers and 2 four day games and a couple of side games.

Originally a team from South Africa too , were to take part in a Triangular ODI Series, but they have informed their inability to do so. Kaluwitharana, along with Sanath Jayasuriya turned the one-day format topsy-turvey helping to win the country the World Cup in 1996 under Arjuna Ranatunga.

`Kalu' has played in 49 Test matches and 169 ODIs, is extremely pleased with the coaching opportunity and he also possess the level two Australian Coaching Certificate.

His first coaching assignment was grooming the Malaysian national team for the World Cup qualifying round matches. Later he joined the Colombo Colts Cricket Club as the coach, and helped them to win this years Premier League tournament.

"I am happy to serve the Development Squad, as it is a feeder to the `A' team and thereafter to the national squad.

The purpose of a squad of this nature is to provide good replacements for the future.

We have enough talent, but lack professionalism and I am prepared to work closely with them to overcome this aspect of the game," said Kaluwitharana.

The SLC Development Squad to Bangladesh:

Muthumudalige Pushpakumara (Captain), Mahela Udawatte (V.Captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kanchana Gunawardene, Gihan Rupasinghe, Milinda Seneviratne, Kaushal Silva, Ashan Priyanjana, Nuwan Pradeep, Chanaka Welegedera, Isuru Udana, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Ranesh Perera, Suraj Mohamed.

Stand byes: Sekuge Prasanna, Chaminda Vidanapathirana, Kusal Janith Perera,

Manager: Anura Tennekoon,

Coach: Romesh Kaluwitharana.