Fitness is the key to success in modern day cricket – Ramanayake

“It’s not new to the players but it has to apply from First-Class cricket when the player reaches national level,”

“All cricket playing countries apply fitness tests and it is always important for the players to use it at the correct time,” he emphasised.

“My duty is to produce players to the national team for their requirements. Every year we produced six to seven players for the national team.”

“After they pass the Under-19 level, we have to focus on their talent and select them for the High-Performance Unit,” he stressed.

“But these selected players have to work hard throughout the year. Even during the off season these selected players work hard and the High-Performance Unit is very busy with the players.”

“After Bangladesh emerged Under-19 world champions the youngsters are very keen to develop their talents and we have to focus more from the age group of 19 to 23 years.”

“Here in Bangladesh the players are treated very well. They are all professional players and they focus entirely on cricket and they get good offers from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).”

“When I came to Bangladesh for the second time all players were keen to work with me as they knew my experience as a coach,” Ramanayake commented.

“That’s why they offered me a big responsibility as Head of the High-Performance Unit so that I will be able to produce good replacements for the national team.”