Former Sri Lankan cricketer and chief selector, Sanath Jayasuriya, has been named as the men’s national team’s interim head coach. Jayasuriya, who’s been working as a consultant with the team for the last couple of month, will take over Chris Silverwood’s role until the end of the England Test series, which ends in early September.
India, Jayasuriya’s first challenge as Sri Lanka head coach
Jayasuriya’s first assignment as Sri Lanka’s head coach will be a white-ball series against India. The series, which starts on July 27, will see both teams play 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is in Sri Lanka, the venues of which haven’t been decided yet.
Silverwood assumed the role of head in April 2022, and his tenure came to an end after the 2024 T20 World Cup ended. Sri Lanka was woeful in the mega-event, winning just one match and getting knocked out of the group stage. Naturally, some changes were to come with Silverwood being the first one.
Although Jayasuriya doesn’t have any coaching experience, as one of their most successful players and a former chief selector as well, the SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) has decided to put their faith in him. “Sanath with his wealth of international cricketing experience is well-positioned to guide the national team, until we find a permanent solution,” said Ashley De Silva, the CEO of SLC, after Jayasuriya’s appointment.
