Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-Ruwan Kalpage, the former Sri Lanka all-rounder, was formally handed a contract as Bangladesh’s assistant and spin-bowling coach ahead of the team’s tour of West Indies starting on August 20.
Kalpage was earlier tipped to join the support staff, headed by Chandika Hathurusinghe, as fielding coach, reports wisdenindia.com.
“The (Bangladesh Cricket Board) officials informed me a few days back that I am the assistant coach, and I am taking over spin, not the fielding part,” Kalpage, who resigned last week as Sri Lanka’s interim assistant coach, told reporters in Mirpur on Sunday.
“My new assignment is national assistant and spin-bowling coach. I think they are trying to get a fielding coach,” he added.
Jalal Yunus, the director of the BCB, said the role was offered to Kalpage after Piyal Wijetunge, who served as Sri Lanka’s spin bowling coach till last week, decided against taking up the Bangladesh offer.
Kalpage had earlier served as head coach of Bangladesh’s National Cricket Academy from 2008 to 2010.
“I am looking forward for people to work hard. I know their talent, and they can come back quickly to the team,” he said. “They can contribute to Bangladesh cricket, and I am also looking forward to the newer players.”
In May, Hathurusinghe was roped in as head coach after Shane Jurgensen resigned from the job following the team’s poor run during the home series against Sri Lanka, the Asia Cup and the ICC World Twenty20, all at home.
Bangladesh will play three One-Day Internationals, a one-off Twenty20 International and two Tests on their tour of West Indies that starts on August 20 in Grenada.
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