Sri Lanka seeks assistance of batting legend

Barry Richards, the legendary South African batsmen, has been approached by the Sri Lankan cricket board with regard to his possible appointment as a specialist batting coach for the national squad. Richards is yet to confirm his willingness to take up the assignment, but is believed to be interested.

At the present moment of time it is unclear as to the details of his appointment, which is supported by both the newly appointed Interim Committee and the Sri Lankan team management. Considering his commitments as a television commentator he is expected to visit Sri Lanka for a series of short technical workshops with both national and A-team players.

It is not the first time that Sri Lankan cricket has shown an interest in Richards. The last Interim Committee, which was headed by Rienze Wijetilleke, recommended his appointment to assist in the teams preparations for the South African tour, but the issue was not pursued after the election of the Thilanga Sumathipala in June 2000.

The Interim Committee is expected to confirm their interest in Barry Richards on Friday, when they meet the Sri Lankan media for the first time since being appointed by the Sports Minister, Lakshman Kiriella, on 28th March.

Richards played only four Test matches for South Africa because of the isolation period. He still had time, however, to score two centuries and two half centuries. He had a first-class average in excess of fifty and is generally consisdered to have been one of the greatest batsmen of the 20th century.