Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced Sanath Jayasuriya's appointment as the men's team's interim head coach until September.
Jayasuriya announced interim head coach till September
The 55-year-old, who retired in 2011 as Sri Lanka's second-most capped ODI player, will take charge of the side for their home series against India, who will tour the island for three T20Is, followed by three ODIs.
Jayasuriya will continue in the role until the final match of Sri Lanka's three-Test tour of England, scheduled to take place on September 6.
This announcement comes following Chris Silverwood's departure after Sri Lanka stumbled to a disappointing group-stage exit in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, in which they lost to South Africa and Bangladesh.
Silverwood had been Sri Lanka's head coach since April 2022 and was in charge of the team that won the T20 Asia Cup later that year. However, after that success, Sri Lanka struggled, not being able to qualify for the knockouts in two successive T20 World Cups and the 2023 ODI World Cup, which resulted in Silverwood and Sri Lanka Cricket parting ways.
Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of Mr. Sanath Jayasuriya as the 'Interim Head Coach' of the National Team. He will function in the position until the completion of Sri Lanka's tour of England in September 2024. https://t.co/ymkI1d9aCx #SLC #lka…
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 8, 2024
What coaching experience does Jayasuriya have?
Jayasuriya has no formal coaching experience. However, he was with the Sri Lanka team during the T20 World Cup in the US and the West Indies as a cricket consultant and has previously served as Sri Lanka's chief selector. He has also previously held the role of director of cricket for Dambulla Aura in 2023 and was the team mentor for Kandy Falcons in 2022.
Speaking about Jayasuriya's appointment, SLC chief executive Ashley de Silva said: "Sanath with his wealth of international cricketing experience is well positioned to guide the national team, until we find a permanent solution."
De Silva has also said the board would advertise for the role and seek out candidates it thought suitable, suggesting that SLC would choose a Sri Lankan coach. Whoever the permanent appointment ends up being will likely take charge of the team after Sri Lanka's tour of England ends.
Sri Lanka have an important three years to look ahead to, with the Champions Trophy, the T20 World Cup, and the ODI World Cup all set to be played before the end of 2027.
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