By Bipin Dani

Sri Lanka Head Coach Mickey Arthur has defended the role he played as a commentator in the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

There have been some suggestions in the media that the coach is to blame for the team's massive loss against South Africa in the Boxing Day Test played at the Centurion, having engaged as a commentator during the LPL and not coaching the training squad ahead of the tour.

The 52-year-old South Africa-born coach, however, has defended his decision to take on that commentary stint.

"I was there (in Hambantota) to keep a tab on the guys and we only had three players (Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne and Santhush Gunathilaka) not in the LPL, training in Colombo," Arthur said. 

"All our squad was in Hambantota at the LPL so it made sense as head coach to watch our players and see the local new talent that could possibly play for Sri Lanka." 

"I know how I work and how much respect (I have for my duty)."   

The Sri Lankan team had its first training session for the new year at the Wanderers on Friday morning. The second and the final Test will be played at the same venue from January 3 to 7. 

The fitness of the injured players is being monitored by the medical team.   

Members of the Sri Lankan squad had another PCR test on Thursday and all results are negative, it is learnt.