Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has officially announced the appointment of former Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya as the interim head coach of the national men’s cricket team. Jayasuriya, who is currently serving as a cricket consultant for SLC, will immediately take over his new role and will hold the position until the end of Sri Lanka’s tour of England in September.
The appointment of Jayasuriya, a cricketing legend known for his explosive batting and effective spin bowling, comes in the wake of significant coaching changes within the Sri Lankan cricket setup. The departures of head coach Chris Silverwood and consultant Mahela Jayawardene, following a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, left a leadership void that Jayasuriya is expected to fill.
Jayasuriya’s first task as interim head coach will be a challenging home series against India, consisting of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), set to begin on July 27. This series will provide a litmus test for Jayasuriya’s coaching capabilities and his ability to rejuvenate the team following recent setbacks.