Former Surrey coach Chris Adams
has been appointed as a consultant for Sri Lanka for their upcoming
tour of England. SLC had conducted a search for a coach with English
experience since losing Paul Farbrace's services last week, and have
settled on Adams, who played 331 first-class matches, scoring 48
hundreds, in addition to his five Tests and five ODIs.
The appointment was made on the recommendation of a three-man panel
comprising chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya, head of coaching Jerome
Jayaratne and chairman of the cricket committee Ranjit Fernando - the
same trio that had also recommended Marvan Atapattu be appointed interim coach.
Both the consultant and interim coach appointments were rubber-stamped
by the SLC executive committee on Monday, an official release said.
Ruwan Kalpage's interim role as assistant coach was also confirmed until
the end of South Africa's July tour of Sri Lanka.
Adams had become Surrey coach in 2008, but a poor start to the 2013
county season following a string of mediocre results in previous years,
contributed to his mid-season removal. Sri Lanka's former coach Graham
Ford eventually replaced him, after Alec Stewart had borne the coach
role temporarily in 2013.
One of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year in 2004, Adams had been a
highly successful captain at Sussex, whom he led to their first County
Championship title in 2003, then again in 2006 and 2007, as well as to
limited-overs titles. Known for his bruising strokeplay, Adams had hit
19,535 first-class runs at 38.68.
He will be hoping to help Sri Lanka outwit an England side coached by
Peter Moores who Adams formed a strong partnership with at Sussex as
captain and coach. Moores, subsequently also a Championship winner with
Lancashire, was reappointed as England coach last week - having
previously held that position between 2007 and 2009.
Sri Lanka will hope Adams' local knowledge, gleaned over 20 years as a
player and five as a coach, will aid them in their travels, particularly
in the Tests at Lords and Headingley. They play one T20I, five ODIs and
two Tests against England, starting on May 22.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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