(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – The Black Caps will add local knowledge to their coaching team for their test series in Sri Lanka.
Former Sri Lankan batsman Thilan Samaraweera has joined Gary Stead’s coaching staff for the two-test series in the island nation, starting on August 14, which doubles as the beginning of their World Test Championship campaign.
Stead said he would bring great experience to the coaching group and will assist Peter Fulton, who has replaced Craig McMillan as batting coach after the latter stepped down after the World Cup.
“We’re delighted to welcome Thilan into our environment for the test phase of the tour,” Stead said.
“His knowledge of Sri Lankan conditions will be invaluable and he’ll offer great assistance to Peter Fulton on his first tour.
“His knowledge of Sri Lankan conditions will be invaluable and he’ll offer great assistance to Peter Fulton on his first tour.
“Having an extra support coach worked really well for us at the World Cup where we had Luke Ronchi on board, and we’re sure Thilan will also offer a lot to the group.”
Samaraweera scored 14 test centuries in his 81-match career (two of which were made against New Zealand on the tour of Sri Lanka in 2009), ending with an average of 48.76 and a top score of 231 against Pakistan in Karachi.
He retired from international cricket in 2013 to take up coaching. The 42-year-old has been the batting coach of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, along with his role as fielding coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2018 IPL.
Samaraweera will join the squad when they arrive in in Colombo this weekend.
(stuff.co.nz)
