Sri Lanka board set to extend Sanath Jayasurya’s contract as head coach

Colombo: Sri Lankan cricket team head coach Sanath Jayasuriya during a training session ahead of the first ODI cricket match between India and Sri Lanka, at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, in Colombo,Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.(Photo: PTI)

2 min read Last Updated: Sep 29 2024 | 4:34 PM IST

Sanath Jayasuriya is poised to have his contract as the head coach of the Sri Lanka men’s cricket team extended for another year, following a successful interim period marked by notable victories.

Since taking over in early July, Jayasuriya has led the team to a series wins against India in ODIs, a Test victory at The Oval, and another Test win in Galle against New Zealand.

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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had advertised for a permanent head coach following Chris Silverwood’s departure in late June.

However, with the significant improvements observed under Jayasuriya’s leadership, the board is now moving towards securing him on a long-term basis.

“We are in the final stages of negotiating the contract with him,” said SLC CEO Ashley de Silva to ESPNcricinfo.

“Probably in the next two or three days you will hear more,” he added, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Initially appointed as a cricket consultant in December last year, Jayasuriya’s role was primarily focused on working with the High Performance Center. His involvement with the national team increased when he traveled with them to the T20 World Cup and subsequently took on the interim head coach role.

Despite a T20I series loss to India and two Test defeats in England, Jayasuriya’s tenure has been marked by more successes than setbacks.

Under his guidance, Sri Lanka is now competing for a place in the World Test Championship final, and his potential new contract will see the team through the current championship cycle.

According to ESPNcricinfo, players’ feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with veteran Angelo Mathews describing Jayasuriya’s impact as a “turning point” for the team.

“Sanath Jayasuriya was superb as cricket director and now as coach,” Mathews said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“He communicates well and has given us a lot of freedom. We are all working towards one goal, and now everyone is on the same page. He’s also done a superb job grooming the players. He has been amazing. I wish him all the very best,” he added.

Previously serving as chief selector in two separate stints over the past decade, Jayasuriya’s earlier tenures were marked by mixed results.

However, his current assignment has brought more stability and progress to the Sri Lankan team.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sep 29 2024 | 4:33 PM IST