Booted out unceremoniously by the Indian Cricket Board, former Test pacer Venkatesh Prasad applied for the job of Sri Lanka's assistant coach but failed to find favour with the SLC who appointed former Australia batsman Stuart Law for the job.
Prasad, who was sacked as Indian team's bowling coach recently, had emerged as a strong candidate for the job left vacant by Paul Farbrace but the Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee thought Law was better suited for their requirements.
"Prasad was a strong contender but we felt Law, who has a good knowledge of cricket and conditions around the world, was more suited for the job," SLC Interim Committee President
Somachanda was quoted as saying by Cricinfo.
Law will assist head coach Trevor Bayliss during Sri Lanka's full tour of India next month to play three Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals.
"We would like Law to be there till the 2011 World Cup but we are yet to formalise a contract. First we will have him assist Bayliss on the India tour, take a call, and move forward from there," Somachanda said.
Law, now a British citizen, played just one Test against Sri Lanka in Perth in 1995 - but represented Australia in 54 ODIs, including the 1996 World Cup final.
He was the Lancashire captain until he was released from the county last year for his links with Indian Cricket League.
