Bradburn and Helmot emerge front-runners after Farbrace lets down SLC

by Rex Clementine

The expert panel of Sri Lankan Cricket that picked Paul Farbrace as Head Coach of the national cricket team have faced embarrassment after the Englishman pulled out after being named the successor to Mickey Arthur. Although SLC had officially not announced Farbrace’s name, the board had decided on him for a two year stint with former Test cricketer Naveed Nawaz functioning as his assistant. However, Farbrace told British media yesterday that he had lost interest in the Sri Lankan job.

Sunday Island learns that the former Middlesex and Kent wicketkeeper had agreed to terms and conditions to become Sri Lanka Head Coach. Farbrace on Friday had indicated that he preferred to stay on with English county Warwickshire. He is one of the leading candidates to replace Chris Silverwood as England Head Coach.

Farbrace had not applied for the Sri Lankan post and it’s quite surprising why the wise heads who were entrusted to headhunt a coach negotiated with him despite Sri Lanka already having sour relationships as he had left Colombo in 2014 just two months into his two year contract.

The six member committee that’s on the look out for a coach that includes former captain Mahela Jayawardene and Director of Cricket Tom Moody were initially keen on bringing down Graham Ford but the South African had turned down the offer due to personal reasons. Ford is said to be seeking permanent residency in Ireland and he requires to fulfill a certain time limit in Dublin to receive his PR. Ford too had not applied for the post.

Sri Lanka are now left with fewer options and there was confirmation on Friday that they would not push for Nawaz as Head Coach as he is not yet ready to take up a bigger role. That leaves SLC with two interesting choices; Grant Bradburn of New Zealand and Simon Helmot of Australia.

Both gentlemen have not functioned as Head Coach of a Test side but have built their reputation in various franchise leagues and other coaching roles.

Helmot (49) in particular has little experience as a player but has been a cricket coach for 25 years now. He has coached Australia ‘A’ and Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League and had a stint as Assistant Coach with Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL.

Bradburn (55), meanwhile, had played a handful of Test matches for New Zealand. He has coaching experience with New Zealand Under-19 team and as Fielding Coach of Pakistan.

Earlier Farbrace was expected to take over before Sri Lanka’s tour of India next month. It is unlikely that the team will have a Head Coach prior to the tour of India.

Former fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake will go to Australia for the five match T-20 series as caretaker head coach.