England will gain from Farbrace: Sangakkara

Sri Lanka veteran backs former coach to do well on home ground.

DURHAM:

Kumar Sangakkara insists Sri Lanka’s loss will be England’s gain after the controversial defection by Paul Farbrace.

The 46-year-old former Kent and Middlesex wicket-keeper shocked Sri Lankan cricket, quitting as the country’s head coach in April after just three-and-a-half months to link-up with Peter Moores’ new-look England set-up.

Marvan Atapattu takes interim charge for the upcoming tour of Ireland and England as Farbrace settles into his role after earning a significant pay rise to become Moores’ number two.

Sangakkara was part of the Sri Lanka side to lift the World Twenty20 trophy earlier this year under Farbrace, who also led the team to Asia Cup success during a short but highly successful reign that saw him lose just one of his 18 matches in charge.

The 36-year-old batsman, who has joined reigning English county champions Durham on a two-and-a-half week contract ahead of joining with his touring Sri Lanka teammates, is looking forward to coming up against his close friend over the summer.

Describing the sudden exit of Farbrace as ‘unfortunate’, Sangakkara admits the unexpected departure leaves a sizeable void to fill on the eve of such an important tour.

“Farbrace is a big loss for us,” said Sangakkara. “He got on really well with the team. He understood how Sri Lankan cricket works.

“It’s unfortunate the circumstances surrounding how he left, but England will gain hugely from having him in their set-up.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd,  2014.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.