Mendis, a former Sri Lanka captain, has been manager of the Sri Lanka team since the tour of Pakistan in August 1995 and has had a successful run in this position culiminating with the World Cup victory in Lahore in March 1996.
Cricket Board sources said this appointment was made to coincide with coach Yardley's contract, which also runs till the end of the 1999 World Cup. Em]Yardley, the former Australian Test offspinner is expected to arrive today to begin a two-and-a-halfyear contract as coach of the national team, succeeding another former Australian Test cricketer Dav Whatmore.
Cricket Board sources said the decision to appoint Mendis, who is also the chairman of selectors, on a long-term basis, was to allow him to liaise closely with Yardley, whose first assignment is to get the on-going national pool in readiness for next month's cricket tour of New Zealand, where Sri Lanka are billed to play two Tests and three one-day internationals.
By co-opting Yardley into the selection committee (a recommendation which must be approved by the Sports Minister, as the national selectors come directly under his purview) it seems the Cricket Board is learning from their past mistakes. It is a privilege former coach Whatmore did not enjoy.
To what degree the Cricket Board will allow Yardley the freedom to talk to the press, will be another moot point that will be followed with great interest. These were some of the contentious issues that led to former coach Whatmore quitting ahead of his two-year contract.
With long-term appointments being given to both manager and coach, it would be a good idea if the selection committee can also adopt the same policy of the Cricket Board ExCo and appoint the captain for a certain number of series rather than the present policy of tour by tour.
Arjuna Ranatunga surely does not need to go on trial by being appointed captain before every series. With Sri Lanka scheduled to play in New Zealand, Sharjah, at home (against Pakistan), India and West Indies within the next four months, Ranatunga was recently appointed captain only for the New Zealand tour.
With a surfeit of cricket to follow for the Sri Lanka 'A' and under 19 teams during the year, the Cricket Board ExCo has also made appointments of manager and coach for the respective categories.
Two former Sri Lanka Test cricketers, Roy Dias and Rumesh Ratnayake have been appointed manager and coach respectively of the Sri Lanka 'A' side for a period of one year from January 18, 1997.
Their first task will be to prepare the Sri Lanka 'A' team for the SAAF Quadrangular tournament in Bangladesh from February 19 to 28. The 'A' teams of India and Pakistan, and Bangladesh will take part.
On the same lines, Carlton Bernadus and Hemal Mendis have been appointed as manager and coach respectively of the Sri Lanka under 19 team for a period of one year commencing January 18, 1997.
The Indian under 19 cricketers are due to make a tour of Sri Lanka from February 9 to March 9 playing a series of three Tests and three one-day internationals, after which the Sri Lanka under 19 team is due to tour Bangladesh in April to participate in the PILCOM under 19 tournament.
According to Cricket Board sources, these appointments were made based on the recent advanced coaching exams conducted by Les Lenham of the National Cricket Association of England.