Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a significant development in their coaching ranks, appointing legendary cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya as the interim head coach of the men’s national team.
This decision comes in preparation for their imminent tour of England, where Sri Lanka is scheduled to participate in a three-match Test series starting from 21 August. The series will commence with the first Test in Manchester, followed by matches at Lord’s and The Oval in London.
Jayasuriya’s appointment follows the resignation of Chris Silverwood, who stepped down after Sri Lanka’s disappointing performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
The team managed only one win out of four games, finishing third in Group D. Silverwood had previously achieved notable successes during his coaching tenure, including winning the T20 Asia Cup in 2022, finishing as runners-up in the 50-over Asia Cup in 2023, and securing victories in several bilateral series.
With a distinguished career spanning 586 matches for Sri Lanka across various formats, Jayasuriya brings a wealth of experience to his new coaching role.
Throughout his career, he amassed an impressive tally of 21,032 runs and claimed 440 wickets. Renowned for his explosive batting as an opening batsman, Jayasuriya has previously served Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) as a selector and currently holds the position of full-time Cricket Consultant.
The appointment of Jayasuriya is aimed at rejuvenating and strengthening Sri Lanka’s cricketing setup as they prepare for the challenges ahead, starting with the demanding tour of England.
His leadership and vast cricketing knowledge are expected to provide valuable guidance to the team, enhancing their performance and strategic approach on the field.
As the interim head coach, Jayasuriya will play a crucial role in shaping Sri Lanka’s strategies and preparations for the upcoming series against England.
His appointment reflects SLC’s commitment to leveraging experienced cricketing minds to foster development and achieve competitive success at the international level.
Sri Lanka fans and cricket enthusiasts worldwide will be eagerly watching to see how Jayasuriya’s influence unfolds in this new chapter for the national team.