Colombo, Jan.20: The Government of Sri Lanka has appointed a new panel to choose future players, following the national team''s abysmal performance in South Africa.
Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage named a four-member panel of selectors headed by Asantha de Mel, a former national player, and gave them one year to put the team in order, his spokesperson said.
"The minister made the appointment for a period of one year from Friday and they will be entrusted with selecting the national team and suggesting ways to improve overall performance," Sports24 quoted the minister''s spokesman Harsha Abeykoon, as saying.
He said the minister had powers to appoint the selectors who will now be entrusted with the responsibility of deciding the fate of skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan and Australian coach Geoff Marsh.
A local media report said both could be removed.
Former captain Mahela Jayewardena could replace Dilshan while Marsh is also likely to be asked to go, the local Daily Mirror said.
The report came two days after the government ordered a probe into the national cricket team''s "crisis situation" after they fell to another defeat in their one-day series in South Africa.
Minister Aluthgamage asked the country''s cricket governing body to investigate and recommend remedial action to end the side''s recent disastrous performances.
© ANI
