Sri Lanka make changes to coaching staff; Rope in Julian Wood and Rene Ferdinands as batting and spin bowling coaches

Sri Lanka have parted ways with Thilina Kandamby and Piyal Wijetunge.

Sri Lanka Cricket Team have made a massive change to their coaching staff after Asia Cup 2025. They have appointed Julian Wood as the new batting coach and Rene Ferdinands as the new spin-bowling coach. The duo will replace Thilina Kandamby and Piyal Wijetunge in the roles.

Kandamby was Sri Lanka’s batting coach since December 2023, while Wijetunge held the role of spin-bowling coach since February 2006. The decision in the coaching staff comes following Sri Lanka’s T20I series defeat to Bangladesh in July.

Wood has been handed a one-year contract as the batting coach. Earlier this year, he conducted a power-hitting programme with Sri Lanka’s national players. He impressed Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) during the week-long programme.

From August to September, he was named as Bangladesh’s batting coach for a short-term period. Wood has previously worked with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Hampshire, Middlesex, and Punjab Kings (PBKS).

Ferdinands has been given a two-year contract as spin-bowling coach. He has previously worked with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and New Zealand Cricket.

Rene Ferdinands is a specialist in both wrist and finger spin: SLC

In an official statement, SLC said that Ferdinands is a specialist in both wrist and finger spin and holds a PhD in biomechanics.

“Holding a PhD in biomechanics from the University of Waikato, Ferdinands brings extensive expertise in applying science to enhance cricket performance. He has previously worked at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy, “delivering biomechanics-based coaching programmes for elite players and coaches,” the statement said.

“A specialist in both wrist and finger spin, Rene has also served as a biomechanics consultant for New Zealand Cricket, carrying out performance evaluations and injury-risk assessments for leading bowlers,” it further added.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka recently had a poor stint in Asia Cup 2025, where they failed to reach the final. The Charith Asalanka-led side lost all three of their matches against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India in the Super Four round.

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