Sri Lanka sacked their selectors on Sunday as the hosts headed toward a Test series whitewash against England.

The Sri Lankans were reeling at 53-4 at close of play on Day Three of the third and final Test, chasing 327.

The selection panel headed by former Test bowler Graeme Labrooy and also including Gamini Wickremasinghe, Eric Upashantha, Chandika Hathurusingha and Jeryl Woutersz – that was appointed in June – has been sacked.

Sri Lanka’s sports minister Faiszer Musthapa reportedly summoned the panel on Sunday and “thanked them for their services”.

Sri Lanka Cricket later appointed a new four-member panel headed by former Test player Asantha de Mel. De Mel will be supported by former players Brendon Kuruppu, Hemantha Wickramaratne and Chaminda Mendis.

The new panel will choose the squad that will play two Tests, three ODIs and a T20 in New Zealand next month.