Sober plan with Yardley

The flash point of his anger being the interest shown by the BCCSL in trying to secure the services of Sir Garfield Sobers as the batting coach for the Lankan team.

Yardley dismissed these rumours as “rubbish” and said that he is leaving on Tuesday for Perth, Australia, to seek medical treatment for his eye. “I have problems in focussing. The problem is in the retina. I have ignored it for far too long but now the doctors feel that I cannot postpone medical treatment any longer.”

Yardley, who took over from fellow Australian Dave Whatmore as the Lankan coach, has a contract with the BCCSL that runs up to the 1999 World Cup in England. He said that he is likely to return in a few weeks time and in fact, he is leaving his family behind in Lanka while he makes a quick visit Down Under.

BCCSL president Upali Dharnmadasa, admitted to The Indian Express that his Board is interested in securing the services of Sir Gary Sober. “I have been talking to Sobers in this regard but nothing is finalised as yet.” However, he emphatically stated that Yardley would continue his role as Lankan coach.

“Sobers is being sought only for a short while to help out our batsmen. He will work jointly with Yardley,” he said.

Dhammika Ranatunga, the chief executive officer of the BCCSL also expressed similar views to this paper. Ranatunga said that as far as his board was concerned there were no problems with Yardley. “We vieweit as something Yardley cannot ignore any longer and hence has to attend to it immediately. He will certainly continue to be with the team.”

Yardley has proved to be a successful coach so far. Under him, Lanka Singer-Akai Cup, Sharjah and the Independence Cup in India.

The absence of Yardley, team manager Duleep Mendis will double up as coach.