Avishka Gunawardana, the former destructive opener and coach of Sri Lanka A team, has been named national team’s batting coach for the second test against Australia, to be played at Canberra from 1 February, Cricket Age reliably learns.
Jon Lewis, the batting coach of the team, has been granted a leave for the second test on his request to return to home for some family commitments.
Avishka will depart for Australia tonight and will directly join the squad in Canberra.
The move to send Avishka is timely one, as in recent times, Sri Lanka’s batting has not been consistent. In the first test against Australia, no batsman could score a fifty except for wicket keeper Niroshan Dickwella. Sri Lanka suffered an embarrassing defeat by an innings and 40 runs inside three days.
Moreover, Avishka has an incredible record as coach. Considered as one of the finest coach in Sri Lanka, Avishka has turned Sri Lanka A team more consistent than the national team. Especially for young players, Avishka’s guidance has done wonders. In last few years, he has shaped young players like Dhananjaya De Silva, Roshen Silva, Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Malinda Pushpkumara, Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara with perfection and has given plenty of match winners to the national side.
Apart from unearthing young talents for the national team, in Avishka’s supervision, Sri Lanka A team has achieved some significant milestones in.ladt two years. The team won a test series in the West Indies and became the first ever team from the island to achieve the landmark. In last two years, Sri Lanka A team has not lost a single series, few months ago won emerging Asia Cup and just recently thrashed Ireland by 5-0.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) is hoping that Avishka’s presence will give a much needed confidence booster to national team’s players. As majority of national players have played under the guidance of Avishka, it will help them to regain their confidence and form.
