In the recent turmoil of transition in Sri Lankan Cricket, legendary all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya has been appointed as the interim head coach of the national side, replacing former England coach Chris Silverwood.
Jayasuriya, who played for Sri Lanka from 1989 to 2011, will coach the team for the upcoming white-ball series against India and the England tour.
The news broke after a media release from the Sri Lanka Cricket Board in which the CEO of the board Ashley De Silva stated: “Sanath with his wealth of international cricketing experience is well positioned to guide the national team until we find a permanent solution.”
Chris Silverwood’s resignation
Silverwood, who had been Sri Lanka’s head coach since 2022, recently resigned from his position. The former England coach cited personal reasons for his departure, leaving the Sri Lankan cricket board to search for a replacement.
Recently, Mahela Jayawardene also signed his resignation with immediate effect as the consultant coach, who was a significant face that brought about changes.
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New appointment
In a move that has excited Sri Lankan cricket fans, the country’s cricket board has turned to one of its greatest players of all time, Jayasuriya, to take over as the interim head coach. Jayasuriya, at 55, will be tasked with coaching the team for the upcoming matches.
Jayasuriya, in an interview with AFP, remarked, “I have been asked to take over coaching, and I am happy to do it.” The legend of the game will take over the charge of the team after the end of the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL).
Jayasuriya is widely regarded as one of the most influential and destructive opening batters in the history of cricket. During his playing days, he amassed over 21,000 runs across all formats and was a key member of the Sri Lankan team that won the 1996 Cricket World Cup. His aggressive batting style and all-round abilities made him a feared opponent for any team.
As the interim head coach, Jayasuriya will have to quickly assess the team’s strengths and weaknesses and implement his strategies to prepare them for the upcoming challenges. The series against India and the tour of England will be crucial for Sri Lanka as they look to bounce back from a recent slump in their performance.
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