Sub-District cricket: Moorabbin appoints former Test paceman as coach

A former Sri Lankan fast bowler who took five wickets against Pakistan has been appointed coach of the Subbies club.

Moorabbin has retained impressive quickie Damsara Menuwara.

A former international cricketer has been appointed senior coach of Moorabbin.

The Binners have locked ex-Sri Lankan fast bowler Kosala Kuruppuarachchi, 56, while also endorsing Roshan Livera’s return as captain.

Kuruppuarachchi replaces Duran Murrian, who will stay on as a senior player.

Kuruppuarachchi was an assistant at Moorabbin last season and he made a good impression and contribution, club stalwart Al Marion said.

“He’s a very knowledgeable fellow, quietly spoken, and his understanding of the game is fantastic,’’ Marion said.

“He’s been a specialist coach at (Victorian) Premier level and an A grade coach in Sri Lanka.’’

Kuruppuarachchi played two Tests for Sri Lanka, against Pakistan in 1986 and New Zealand in 1987.

The paceman was a key figure in his country’s victory over Pakistan, capturing 5-44 off 14.5 overs. He took two more wickets in the second innings.

“Kosala Kuruppuarachchi proved a difficult proposition for both commentators and batsman alike on his debut,’’ his Cricinfo profile states.

“A left-arm medium-pace bowler Kuruppuarachchi had a dream introduction into the Test arena. In the first innings he produced a sterling display capturing 5 for 44 as the Pakistan batting line-up was routed.

“In the second innings he provided solid support for Ravi Ratnayeke taking a further two wickets. Sri Lanka achieved their first victory over Pakistan in Test cricket and Kuruppuarachchi took a major part in it. Injury forced him to miss the final Test in the series. Sadly his only other Test was during the abandoned Test series against New Zealand.’’

Marion said the club was thrilled to reappoint Livera as captain.

The veteran all-rounder took over at a difficult time: in the previous season the Binners had made the finals for the first time in almost 30 years, but they lost a chunk of the team, including captain Romain Grenville and overseas star Karl Carver.

They finished down the list, but they did reach the grand final of the VSDCA T20 competition.

Marion said the club would keep all its senior players and was chasing a top-order batsman.

He said Moorabbin was also starting to rebuild its junior program, beginning with a Blast program, and had adopted the theme of “Moorabbin from strength to strength’’.

The Binners will celebrate their 100th year of cricket in 2023-24.