Chandimal will not be looked as an opener says chief selector de Mel
“Though young right hander Dinesh Chandimal became a successful option as an opener we will not be looking at him in that slot on a permanent basis” said National cricket chief selector Asantha de Mel.
Chandimal who was drafted into Sri Lanka’s third Test against Pakistan at Pallekele made a stylish 65 as an opener in the second innings which sparked off some speculation of the youngster playing more of- ten in that slot.
De Mel said “When regular opener T.M. Dilshan pulled out at the last moment owing to a family issue we had no option, but to get Chandimal to fit into that slot. However even in the forthcoming ODI series against India, Chandimal who is settling well into the No.4 position should retain it.
“In the series against India, the normal pair of Dilshan and Upul Tharanga should open and if at all skipper Mahela Jayawardena who also enjoys his position as an opener could do the job.
Meanwhile in India left arm medium pacer Irfan Pathan has replaced fast bowler Vinay Kumar.
The Indian squad is scheduled to arrive in the country on June 18 and will play their first match on July 22 at the Sooriyawewa Stadium.
Meanwhile in the Sri Lanka Premier League three former Sri Lanka coaches will be among the coaches who
are tipped to handle the seven teams.
Trevor Bayliss, Paul Fabrace and Tom Moody have coached the Lankan national side while as a local former SLC CEO Duleep Mendis also have done the job. The other names in the fray are – Shane Duff, Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and the present Sri Lankan batting coach Marvan Atapattu.
In another incident fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep who arrived at Zimbabwe to replace injured pacemen Dhammika Prasad and Farveez Maharoof could not take part in their game against Zimbabwe ‘A’ as his gear and baggage had not arrived along with him.