Debasis Sen, Galle: In a bid to bolster the batting department Sri Lanka Cricket Board on Monday appointed former captain Hashan Tilakaratne as the batting coach. Tilekaratne was seen with the team at the practice session today at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
The 50-year-old, who joined Sri Lanka Cricket last year as a coach, worked with the development teams before being promoted to the senior side ahead of the current series.
Tilekaratne, a veteran of 83 tests has captained Sri Lanka in 2003-2004. Apart from being a solid middle order batsman, Tillakaratne was also an efficient fielder. He was also a key member for 1996 Cricket World Cup winning team for Sri Lanka.
Last week, Chaminda Vaas was named as the team’s Bowling Coach after Champaka Ramanayake stepped down.
Another former cricketer Sanath Jayasurya, now the Chairman of the selection committee was seen having a look at the wickets in the morning. The basic idea one understands behind involving the former cricketers into different roles in Sri Lankan cricket is to improve the standard of test cricketers in the country. The Sri Lankan team is languishing at No. 7 spot in the latest ICC Test rankings.