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Sunday, 6 April 2003  
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Chaminda Vaas is out of Sharjah tour... : 

Dave Whatmore to coach India's junior cricketers?

Vernon Gunasekera reporting from Sharjah...

SHARJAH, April 5 - Sri Lanka suffered a severe blow when strike bowler Chaminda Vaas who sustained an ankle injury at practices on Wednesday was ruled out of the Sharjah Cup 2003 four-nation tournament yesterday.

Vaas who had a scan taken on his ankle, showed no signs of any damage to his ankle. However the team management along with Vaas who had discomfort, decided it was better to rest ahead of the 2 Test series against New Zealand and the Tri-Nation Tournament also featuring Pakistan.

Dharshana Gamage, the tall medium-pacer has been drafted into the team as the replacement to Vaas for the tour. Team sources said that Gamage would be in Sharjah by Monday.

Sri Lanka play against Kenya on Sunday and Zimbabwe on Monday. Gamage would be available only if Sri Lanka qualify for the finals on Thursday. Vaas was due to fly back to Colombo early this morning.

Sri Lanka who lost to Kenya in the World Cup 2003 in Nairobi will be out to avenge their defeat to the East African country.

Kaushal Lokuarachchi seems certain to make his debut for Sri Lanka against the Kenyans, thereby strengthening the Sri Lankan bowling department. Lokuarachchi is a fine fielder too and a useful batsman and a promising leg-spinner.

The Kenyans who arrived in Sharjah on Tuesday night made use of the three days to practice twice a day and familiarize themselves to conditions in Sharjah. The Kenyan government has stepped in to support the game in the country after the team entered the semi-finals of the World Cup. Kenyan skipper Steve Tikolo, speaking to the Sunday Observer said that the reception they received on arrival in Nairobi after the World Cup was a moment he will never forget. Sponsors too are now coming forward to finance cricket and this is a happy augury for the future of Kenyan cricket.

Meanwhile, negotiations are underway between the Indian Cricket Board and Dave Whatmore to finalise a contract for Whatmore to take over the role of Indian junior national coach. Whatmore has requested the BCCSL to relieve him from his coaching role at the end of the Sharjah tour. Whatmore was earlier removed from his post of Sri Lanka coach.

Brijesh Patel, chief selector and director of the National Cricket Academy of India is conducting negotiations with Whatmore. Should the negotiations be concluded successfully, Whatmore would be the Junior National Coach or Coach of the National Cricket Academy of India.

However, Whatmore's wife and children will remain in Sri Lanka as they say that Sri Lanka the best place in the world.

The Indian Cricket Board believes that Whatmore reads the game well and he will bring new ideas to Indian cricket.

John Wright will continue as the senior coach and Whatmore has high respect for Wright.

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