After International Cricket Council (ICC) banned Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusinghe and manager Asanka Gurusinha for two Test matches and four ODIs former Sri Lankan legend Aravinda de Silva has come forward and said Test playing nations should have top quality coaches and experienced players to guide young players to do better at international level.

While playing against Windies in the second Test match, all the three Sri Lankan team members were found guilty for their inclusion in the ball-tampering scandal that made Suranga Lakmal lead the side against Windies.

Aravinda de Silva said "When I was in the Cricket Committee, I wanted to appoint Mahela as Under-19 coach but they (SLC) didn't agree to it".

"They are keen to have the publicity, to make the administration look good, by having these big-name appointments at the highest level. The important part is to have them (experienced players) at the lower level. You must have the best knowledge to impart at the lower level because that is where they inculcate good habits," De Silva said during his visit to the Pix Transmission Limited on Monday.

"Knowledge should be inculcated at the grass root level. Top national and overseas coaches are needed at the grass root level. The culture and character needs to be built at young age. It has to be taught at the school and Under-19 level that makes it easier for them to progress," he said.

 "They have to be taught values and discipline at that young age. Everyone makes mistakes. But you don't want them to make mistakes when they are in the national side. If they do at the Under-19, those mistakes can get corrected when there's less social media and not much focus on them," Silva concluded.

(Inputs from Times of India)