The Sri Lankan cricketers will have the services of four Australian nationals prior to home Test series against England which begins in early November. Former Australian Test batsman John Dyson, who signed a 18-month contract with the Sri Lankan cricket board as the national coach, will work along with Shane Duff- the trainer of the national team and Paul Klarenaar and C.J. Clarke - the physiotherapists. While Klarenaar will be in-charge of the national team, Clarke will look after the second string players.

This is also the first time the Sri Lankans have obtained the services of a trainer. Contrary to the popular belief that the four foreigners have cost the cricket board a fortune, sources within the cricket board claimed that they could obtain the services of these professionals for very reasonable rates. "The costs involved in hiring the physio and the trainer were less than what we spent on our previous physiotherapist, who did a good job with the national side," a board official said.

Dauff is expected in the island on the 15th of September and would undertake duties with the national side immediately. The four professionals have been tracked down on the recommendation of the cricket committee in consultation with the new coach.

Meanwhile the Sri Lankan "A" team is scheduled to play five one-dayers in Nairobi and Mombassa in Kenya, cricket board sources said. Kenyan Cricket Association (KCA) had invited the Sri Lankan national team to play five One-Day Internationals in the African country. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) has turned the offer down and suggested the alternative where the Sri Lankan "A" team would take part in five one-day games.

The Sri Lankan "A" team will tour South Africa from 22nd of September to 16th of October. Once the African series is over they would travel to Kenya to play the five match one-day series.