Sanath Jayasuriya appointed interim head coach of Sri Lanka Men's Team

07/08/2024

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Former opener and Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya has been assigned as the interim head coach of the national team. This appointment comes after the resignation of former coach Chris Silverwood following the team's disappointing performance in the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup.

‌Sri Lanka Cricket took to their official website to announce Jayasuriya’s new role. Highlighting his vast depth of knowledge of the game, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket 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.”

The 55-year-old is currently serving as the full-time ‘Cricket Consultant’ of Sri Lanka Cricket and his new appointment comes into immediate effect. However, he will function in the position until the completion of Sri Lanka’s tour of England in September 2024.

Sanath Jayasuriya had a distinguished cricket career, featuring in 110 Tests for Sri Lanka between 1991 and 2007. He scored 6,973 runs at an average of 40.07, which included 14 centuries and 31 fifties. In One Day Internationals, Jayasuriya played 445 matches, scoring 13,430 runs at an average of 32.36, with 28 hundred and 68 half-centuries. He was a pivotal member of the Sri Lankan team that clinched the 1996 ODI World Cup. His major T20 highlights include his brief stint in the Indian Premier League where he played for Mumbai Indians between 2008-2010.

Beyond his cricketing achievements, Jayasuriya also had a stint in politics, serving as a Member of Parliament from 2010 to 2015.