Marvan Atapattu appointed as new Sri Lankan head coach

Marvan Atapattu

Marvan Atapattu has been named as the head coach of the Sri Lankan cricket team on a full-time basis, following his satisfactory interm stint with the unit during which the Island nation clean swept England at their home in all three formats, defeated Pakistan in ODIs and Tests but lost to South Africa, both at home.

A veteran of 90 Tests and 268 ODIs, the 43-year-old has been with the Lankan team as a batting coach since 2011 and was promoted to the post of assistant coach in March 2013. He was asked to fill in after Farbrace opted to leave earlier this year despite winning the Asia Cup and World T20 and has now become the fifth full-time head coach in 4 years.

A Sri Lankan Cricket Board (SLC) release said that the executive committee "unanimously approved and appointed Mr. Marvan Attapattu to the position of National Head Coach of Sri Lanka Cricket with immediate effect".

First full-time local head coach in 15 years

The announcement makes him the first local head coach to be awarded the role on a full-time basis since Roy Dias in 1999.

Earlier, former national captain and the chief of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya excluded himself from the coach-selection committee, expressing his discontent with the long-drawn-out nature of the process.

While there are no specifications regarding his contract period, the 7-match home ODI series against England starting on November 26 will be his first assignment. The team then travels to New Zealand for 2 Tests and 7 ODIs in preparation for the World Cup 2015.