Sanath Jayasuriya Steps in as Interim Head Coach of Sri Lanka

Lanka News: Jayasuriya Leads Team Amid Coaching Search

Former Sri Lanka skipper Sanath Jayasuriya will step in as the interim head coach of the Sri Lanka team while Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) continues its search for Chris Silverwood’s replacement. Jayasuriya’s new role will involve leading the team during the home series against India and the Test tour to England. Appointed as SLC’s full-time ‘cricket consultant’ last December, Jayasuriya oversees both players and coaches at the High Performance Centre in Khettarama. SLC has confirmed that Jayasuriya will serve in the interim capacity while they continue their search for a permanent replacement.

Silverwood, whose contract was extended up until the England series, decided to step down from the post of Head Coach of the national men’s team following yet another disastrous campaign at the recent T20 World Cup. Prior to him, Mahela Jayawardena, who functioned as a consultant coach, also resigned, leaving Sri Lanka Cricket facing the challenge of finding a replacement.

Despite his limited coaching experience, Jayasuriya has made significant contributions to Sri Lanka cricket as a selector. The immediate assignment for Sri Lanka is India’s tour, which will be followed by a three-match Test series against England starting on August 21. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s red-ball specialists are diligently preparing for the series in the UK, with players like Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, and Angelo Mathews.