In a significant move to modernize its batting strategy, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has roped in renowned power-hitting coach Julian Wood to work with both the men’s and women’s national teams. The specialized training camp, scheduled from July 30 to August 5, will focus on enhancing Sri Lanka’s ability to clear boundaries and accelerate scoring—an area where the island nation has often lagged behind top cricketing sides.
Julian Wood is widely recognized for his groundbreaking work in power-hitting, a technique that blends traditional cricket strokeplay with principles drawn from baseball and sports science. His “Power Hitting Program” emphasizes generating maximum bat speed, improving timing, and building muscle memory for aggressive strokeplay under pressure. Wood has worked with elite cricketers and franchises around the world, including England’s white-ball setup, IPL teams like Punjab Kings, and several English county clubs.
This initiative by SLC reflects a clear shift in focus—acknowledging that modern cricket, particularly the T20 and ODI formats, demands explosive batting capabilities. As the global game evolves, quick scoring and adaptability in the middle overs and at the death have become essential. Sri Lanka’s inconsistent middle-order performances, especially in white-ball formats, have cost them dearly in recent tournaments. The inclusion of a power-hitting program aims to fill that gap.
Wood’s upcoming sessions in Colombo will involve intensive hands-on drills, swing analysis, bat-speed tracking, and strength-building exercises. Special equipment and training aids—including weighted bats and resistance bands—will be used to build kinetic energy and maximize clean hitting. The program will be tailored for both men and women, with two dedicated days set aside exclusively for the women’s national team. This ensures both squads benefit from individualized technical attention.
For Sri Lanka’s women’s team, this is a rare opportunity to work with a world-class coach and improve their ability to match the power standards seen in leading international teams. With tournaments like the Women’s World Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup on the horizon, building a fearless and dynamic batting unit has become a key objective.
Julian Wood expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting Sri Lanka’s potential and raw talent. He emphasized that power-hitting is not about swinging wildly but about using technique and biomechanics to create consistent, clean power. His goal, he stated, is not just to help players hit sixes, but to do it reliably and intelligently—adapting to match situations and opposition strategies.
Sri Lanka Cricket’s move to involve a specialist like Wood is also part of a broader strategy to align its national programs with the evolving demands of the global game. Other leading cricket boards have already embraced specialist training in power-hitting, spin-bowling, and fielding—areas that can decisively shift momentum in modern matches.
In the long run, this engagement is expected to elevate the strike rates and finishing power of Sri Lankan batters. If successful, it may well lay the foundation for a more aggressive, fearless style of play—one that enables Sri Lanka to compete more effectively against top-tier opponents in the T20 and ODI arenas.