Dyson set to be named as new Sri Lanka coach

John Dyson, the former Australian opener, will shortly be appointed as Sri Lanka's national coach, according to Thilanga Sumathipala, the new president of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL).

"We will be entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with him," Sumathipala announced at the first media conference held since he won a landslide victory in the BCCSL elections earlier in the day.

Dyson, 48, will replace Duleep Mendis after the current tour of the West Indies. Mendis was appointed as interim coach after the decision to not renew the contract of Dav Whatmore following the World Cup.

Aravinda de Silva, who has been placed in charge of cricket affairs by the new board, claimed Dyson claimed that Dyson was an ideal choice considering his pedigree in physical training and sports psychology, as well as his experience coaching in New South Wales.

"John [Dyson] is in touch with the latest coaching methods, has experience working alongside the likes of Bob Simpson and Peter Philpot, and has a masters in physical training and sports psychology," said de Silva.

Dyson, 48, played in 30 Tests for Australia between 1977 and 1984 scoring 1359 runs at 26.64. He scored two centuries, including one in the famous Headingley Test of 1981, which England eventually won after following on.

The cricket board had earlier approached Bob Woolmer, Graham Ford, John Bracewell and Greg Chappell for the vacant position, all of whom had pulled out of discussions with the cricket board at an early stage.

De Silva also announced that Sri Lanka would shortly appoint a new physiotherapist and a physical trainer to replace Alex Kontouri.