21 August 2020 12:00 am
By Bipin Dani
Sri Lanka’s Australian fielding coach Shane McDermott arrives in the island today (Friday).
He and the bowling coach David Saker had been struck in Australia for the last five months.
Sri Lankan High Commissioner’s offices in Canberra (for Saker) and Melbourne (for McDermott) have put both coaches on a priority list and are trying to send them on the first available flight to Colombo, it is learnt here.
McDermott, who will be first to arrive after about 40-hour flight including transit, is to be escorted by an army official to a 4-star hotel in Kandy, for a two-week quarantine.
Speaking exclusively over telephone from Melbourne airport, where the coach arrived from Adelaide (via Jet Star flight) and will be spending about 13 hours before being put on a Friday morning flight to Sri Lanka, the fielding coach said, “Whilst back in Australia I had been staying in regular contact with the squad and staff.
“I have assisted to ensure our player development plans are up to date.”
“I have also assisted in the design of our coach education curriculum and looking at revamping our analysis data to assist us when we get back to international competition.”
“I have also spent some valuable time with my children and partner Emma. I’m really looking forward to getting back and am very grateful for the support that I have received from Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) by honouring my contract during these unforeseen difficult times,” the 39-year-old McDemott concluded.