Labrooy named new SL selection chair

Sri Lanka Cricket have named a new selection committee, putting former Test bowler Graeme Labrooy in charge of the five-member panel as they seek to reverse the team's woes.

The previous panel, led by former captain Sanath Jayasuriya, resigned last month en masse during a tour whitewash by India who won all three Tests, five one-dayers and one Twenty20 international in Sri Lanka.

The debacle followed July's first ODI series defeat to Zimbabwe, which prompted Angelo Mathews to step down as captain from all formats.

"The new selectors will begin their term with the selection of the Test Squad to take on Pakistan in their tour of UAE commencing early next week," Sri Lanka Cricket said on Tuesday in a statement.

Labrooy, 53, played nine Tests and 44 ODIs from 1986-92. Other members of the panel include Gamini Wikramasinghe, Jeryl Wouterz, Sajith Fernando and Asanka Gurusinha, who is also the cricket manager.

Sri Lanka last month launched an investigation into the state of cricket on the island amid a string of humiliating losses, with the nation's sports minister calling for an administrative overhaul.

Dayasiri Jayasekera said he was inviting former administrators, players, sports experts and journalists to brainstorm ideas about how to revive the game, beloved in Sri Lanka. 

"I am hoping to get all these experts at a single forum and thrash out issues," Jayasekera said.

"There is no point in blaming administrators or the players without an in-depth study. The idea is not to apportion blame, but address the deficiencies and rally behind the national team."

Sri Lanka will leave on Sunday for the United Arab Emirates for the series against Pakistan, featuring two Tests, five one-dayers and three T20 internationals.