Sanath Jayasuriya expected to continue as Sri Lanka men's head coach for another year
Former Sri Lanka player Sanath Jayasuriya's contract as men's head coach is expected to be extended for a year, after his success with the Sri Lanka team over the past few months.
Rai Sinha
Published Sep 29, 2024, 12:43 pm IST
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Former Sri Lanka player Sanath Jayasuriya's contract as men's head coach is expected to be extended for a year, after his success with the Sri Lanka team over the past few months. However, the team has successfully defeated India in an ODI series, won a Test at The Oval, and another in Galle against New Zealand since he took over the reins as interim coach in early July as well.
However, Sri Lanka Cricket had advertised the permanent head coach position after Chris Silverwood's exit in late June. But with Sri Lanka showing signs of improvement under the legendary player, SLC has initiated the process to bring Sanath Jayasuriya in on a longer term as well.
"We are in the final stages of negotiating the contract with him," board CEO Ashley de Silva
"We are in the final stages of negotiating the contract with him," board CEO Ashley de Silva told ESPNcricinfo. "Probably in the next two or three days you will get to hear more."
However, Sanath Jayasuriya had originally been appointed cricket consultant for one year in December last year as well, a role where he had to work with the High Performance Centre. But he travelled with the team to this year's T20 World Cup and then took the head coach role as well.
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However, under his guidance, they also lost a T20I series against India, plus two Test defeats in England too. But their successes made headlines as well. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are now in the race for a World Test Championship final place, and Sanath Jayasuriya's next contract will help the team do well in the ongoing cycle.
"Sanath Jayasuriya was superb as cricket director and now as coach" - Angelo Mathews
Moreover, feedback from players has also been positive so far, with Angelo Mathews, who is the most experienced player on the Test side, saying that Jayasuriya taking over the team as a "turning point" as well.
"Sanath Jayasuriya was superb as cricket director and now as coach," he said. "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."
However, Sanath Jayasuriya had earlier been the chief selector in two different stints in the last decade as well, but the team had modest performances at that time as well whereas the team did well and they have more stability during his ongoing assignment as well.
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