Sri Lankans seek Botham for lead role in revival

Sri Lanka yesterday confirmed their interest in appointing Ian Botham as national team manager, and their cricket authorities said negotiations were still in the "initial stages".

The former England all-rounder, who is appearing in the pantomime Cinderella at the Wimbledon Theatre, has insisted he is serious about the chance of becoming involved in international cricket again.

Botham, 39, and Allan Border, now retired at Australia's captain, have been listed for a consultative post, at the very least. Sri Lanka's atrocious recent Test record, the nadir being three successive three-day innings defeats in India early this year, appear to have concentrated minds in Colombo.

Duleep Mendis, Ray Illingworth's equivalent as chairman of selectors, has mentioned special sponsorship to pay for a major appointment. Anura Tennekoon, the Sri Lanka board's secretary, said yesterday: "The only point of consideration involving Botham and Border was the timing of the assignment in terms of their heavy international and other commitments."

Ranjit Fernando, Sri Lanka's coach during the current Mandela Trophy series in South Africa, last night endorsed the idea of appointing a high-profile leader. He said: "I think it is a very good thing and will do Sri Lankan cricket a lot of good."

"A very good thing and will do Sri Lankan cricket a lot of good"

He added: "Several names have been mentioned in recent months, including the likes of Bob Woolmer before he became South Africa's coach, Frank Tyson, Allan Border and now Ian Botham. Border's name was mentioned, but I read in the newspapers over the last couple of days that that had fallen through."

Botham declined to comment on the progress of negotiations last night but he said earlier this week he had been "flattered" by the approach. He said: "If the terms are right and the money is right I'll take it. I love Sri Lanka as a country and the Sri Lankans are lovely people. Frankly, I am flattered that they want me."

Sri Lanka have had difficulty in fostering an effective relationship between management and players since achieving Test status in 1981. For example, their embarrassing attempt after the India debacle to insist on certain fitness levels merely led to some of their best players being dropped, followed by revolt, official retraction and status quo.

English stock in the cricket world may be low but that did not stop Zimbabwe from appointing John Hampshire, the former England Test batsman, as their coach and mentor on a seasonal basis and South Africa from making Bob Woolmer their salaried national coach.

Thanks :: The Electronic Telegraph (Dec 22, 1994)