Stung by consecutive defeats, the Sri Lankan cricket board is sending renowned sports psychologist Sandy Gordon to help the national cricket team come out of its present poor form, a top cricket official said.
Sri Lanka has lost eight of its last nine limited-overs internationals to India and New Zealand over the past two months.
”It is very important that the coaches get together and talk to the players.” Duleep Mendis, Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive, told reporters on Tuesday.
Gordon, a South African, will meet with the players during two sessions at Melbourne on January 9, and in Perth in the first week of February in a bid to help build their confidence.
”In a situation like this, this is what is needed more than fitness and play on the field. Mentally we are down,” Mendis said.
”We have to give the players back the confidence because we are approaching the [2007] World Cup.”
New Zealand took a series-clinching 3-0 lead on Tuesday by winning the third limited-overs international by five wickets.
Mendis said explanations would be sought from coach Tom Moody and captain Marvan Atapattu for the team’s bad showing.
”We are in serious trouble,” said Mendis, a former Sri Lankan captain. ”Moody and Marvan will have to do a lot of explaining.”
”We need to improve, specially in the batting department,” he said.
Former Australian international, Moody was appointed Sri Lanka coach in May with the aim of preparing the team for the 2007 World Cup.
Mendis said the board would make it mandatory for national players to spend an entire year in the cricket academy and fast pitches would be prepared in home grounds to help the batsmen get used to pace bowling.
Sri Lankan players currently only have to spend six months at the academy.
The cricket board’s move comes after a critical assessment of the national squad by team manager Michael Tissera. In a report after the India tour Tissera called the players ”too complacent, with some exceptions”.
India defeated Sri Lanka 6-1 in the one-dayers and 2-0 in the Test series. – Sapa-AFP