Warnapura Chairman of LPL Technical Committee

By Bipin Dani

Sri Lanka's first Test Captain, Bandula Warnapura has been made the Chairman of the LPL (Lanka Premier League) Technical Committee. According to sources, he will lead the three-member committee.

The other two members are former fast bowler, Vinothen John and right-arm off-break bowler, Chaminda Mendis. Both John and Mendis were the members of the last National Cricket Selection Committee.

"The members of our technical committee reached Hambantota on Monday. They are not staying with the teams but in a separate hotel and in bio-secure bubble," the source, told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

"The committee's main task is to see the smooth functioning of the matches and also approve the replacement, if sought for the injured players of any teams. They will rely on the medical reports and also the recommendation team physiotherapists and trainers." 

Meanwhile, the Jaffna Stallions have added fast bowler Sebastiyampillai Vijayraj to their stand-by list, having initailly brought him in as a net bowler. 

"Sebastiyampillai can bowl up to 140 kmh. In cricket circles he is best known as 'Kilinochchi Express'. His bowling action is very much similar to national bowler Lasith Malinga," accoring to Saranga Wijeyarathne who is the Media & Communications Director for the Jaffna Stallions'. 

He also said Stallions coach Thilina Kandamby welcomed the arrival of former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik into the squad. 

"Both were in the same squad in the Jaffna team in the 2012 SLPL. Thilina was a captain then and after eight years he is Malik's coach. Both will be excited to meet each other," he further added