Donald, Law to accompany Australia to Sri Lanka

Allan Donald, the former South Africa paceman, and Stuart Law, the former Australian batsman, will be part of Australia's coaching staff during their upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Thursday (April 28).

The appointments of Donald and Law are for the Sri Lanka tour only, which starts in July, and CA are hoping to have permanent appointments in place by the start of the 2016-17 summer.

Donald, who was South Africa bowling coach between 2011 and 2015, will take on the role of fast-bowling coach, left vacant by Craig McDermott who stepped down from the gig in the aftermath of the World Twenty20. Adam Griffith, bowling coach of Western Australia, will take over the role during Australia's tri-series in the Caribbean in June.

Law, a former coach of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, will be the caretaker batting coach in place of Greg Blewett, who will miss the tour due to the birth of his second child. Former India spinner Sridharan Sriram will act as fielding coach for the Test component of the tour.

Darren Lehmann, Australia coach, welcomed the changes. "It's great to have Stu (Law) back in the Australian team for this period," Lehmann said. "He has been doing some great work at the National Cricket Centre with our age-grade teams and Australia A, and his knowledge of batting in Sri Lanka is a huge advantage for us on this tour."

"He (Donald) brings a wealth of experience with him and our guys will benefit greatly from having him around," Lehmann added. "His Test record speaks for itself and he was without a doubt one of the most formidable bowlers of his generation. He has also had considerable success in sub-continent conditions and will bring a fresh perspective, and challenge some of our thinking."

Sriram, who played eight One-Day Internationals for India between 2000 and 2004, recently joined the Australian team for their T20 tours of Sri Lanka and India and worked with the Australia A side in India last year. "Sri was a great addition to our coaching group in South Africa and provided a terrific perspective for our players," Lehmann said. "His knowledge of sub-continental conditions will also be an added bonus for us."