Arjuna Ranatunga Slams Sri Lankan Cricket For Choosing 'Garbage' Foreign Coaches Over Local Talent

Former Sri Lankan captain and the 1996 World Cup-winner Arjuna Ranatunga has lambasted the country’s governing body- Sri Lankan Cricket– for ignoring talented local coaches for ‘garbage’ foreign coaches.

Sri Lanka, who won the 1996 World Cup on this day in 1996, has struggled in international cricket ever since the likes of Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Tillekeratne Dilshan called time on their respective careers.

The island nation, which emerged as a force to reckon with in international cricket during the first 15 years of the 21st century has struggled to put in consistent performances across all three formats in the past four years. And, the instability in the leadership group whether it is the ever-changing captains and coaches has been one of the major reasons.

Ranatunga feels that SLC has been ignoring local coaches like Aravinda de Silva, Mahela Jayawardene, Marvan Atapattu while going for ‘garbage’ international coaches.

While he did not name anyone, it could be termed as a dig towards South Africa-born Mickey Arthur, who is currently coaching the national team.

“We spend huge amounts to import garbage coaches,” Ranatunga said, claiming that addition of foreign coaches is partly responsible for Sri Lanka’s poor performance and low rankings across formats.

“There is good (coaching) talent in the country, but they are going abroad because there is no recognition for them at home.” he added as quoted by PTI.

Ranatunga’s comments come a month after Sri Lankan Cricket appointed former Australian all-rounder and someone who has previously coached Sri Lanka between 2005-07 in Tom Moody as a consultant tasked with the responsibility of reviving the game and rebuilding the national cricket team.

Previously, foreign coaches like Paul Farbrace, Bruce Yardley, John Dyson, Graham Ford, and Geoff Marsh have also coached Sri Lankan cricket team.

Prior to Mickey Arthur, Sri Lanka was coached by former national Test star Chandika Hathurusingha, who was sacked after the island nation failed to make it to the semi-final stage of the 2019 World Cup.

Ranatunga further added that a mountain of scrutiny over corruption charges on Sri Lankan Cricket has painted the country in poor light.

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