SLC launches fast and spin bowling academies

National fast bowling coach Anusha Samaranayake addresses the squad of fast bowlers

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will launch specialised fast and spin bowling academies at the High Performance Centre (HPC), with the aim of developing a talent pool that will serve as a feeder system for the national team.

Under the guidance of the Cricket Selection Committee, the High Performance Coaching Staff screened 105 first-class players from Tier A and B clubs at the R. Premadasa Stadium last week.

The screened players were selected based on the recommendations of their club coaches, who followed guidelines provided by the HPC coaches and the cricket selection committee during an initial meeting. From the pool of screened players, squads will be chosen for the respective academies and once selected, they will undergo intensive training to enhance their skills and competencies.

This initiative will help build a competitive bowling unit at the HPC covering both spin and fast bowling, thus giving SLC the luxury of a squad consisting of players with skills and competencies to fill the national shoes as and when needed.

The fast bowlers were screened by the HPC coaches, National Fast Bowling Coach Anusha Samaranayake, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Chamila Gamage, and Darshana Gamage, while spin bowlers were screened by coaches Piyal Wijetunge, Sajeewa Weerakoon and Sachith Pathirana.

Cricket selection committee members Ajantha Mendis, Tharanga Paranavithana, Dilruwan Perera, and Indika de Saram kept a watchful eye throughout the program.

Going forward, SLC also intends to carry out the screening program in the outstation regions, covering district and provincial cricket, in order to further expand the talent search.