Photo Credit: Cricket NSW
NSW assistant coach Chandika Hathurusingha has finished up his role with the Blues and Sydney Thunder.
Hathurusingha, who played 26 Tests for Sri Lanka in the 90’s, has had two stints with the Blues – from 2011-2014 and more recently since the start of the 2020 season.
Internationally Hathurusingha has previously coached Bangladesh (2014-17) and Sri Lanka (2017-19).
Up to 2017, Hathurusingha was the most successful coach to ever get involved in Bangladesh cricket, with ODI series victories against India, Pakistan and South Africa, and Test victories against Sri Lanka (away), England and Australia. During his tenure, Bangladesh moved higher in Team Rankings and qualified for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy and directly qualified for 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Cricket NSW Head of Elite Male Cricket Michael Klinger wished Hathurusingha every success for his latest career move.
“Chandi has made a wonderful contribution to Cricket NSW, the Blues and Sydney Thunder over the last couple of years and we are sad to see him go,” Klinger said.
“But with that in mind we totally understand his desire to seek a coaching role internationally and we wish him all the best in the next chapter of his coaching career.”
Hathurusingha said he had enjoyed his second tenure in the Cricket NSW set-up.
“I have really enjoyed my time working with the staff and especially the very talented young players at the Blues,” Hathurusingha said.
“The first year I was there (in 2020) we had many of the Australian team players and it was a good blend of the senior players and the young players but over the last year it has been great to watch the young talent develop.”
Former Australian international Cameron White will replace Hathurusingha as the NSW batting coach for the rest of the domestic season, joining the Blues once his commitments with the Sydney Sixers are complete. Sixers head coach Greg Shipperd is the current Blues interim head coach.
