Sanath Jayasuriya announced as Sri Lanka's interim head coach

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the former Sri Lankan batter and skipper, Sanath Jayasuriya as their interim head coach for the next two assignments. Jayasuriya will coach Sri Lanka during their limited-overs home series against India and three Test matches in England from August 21 to September 10.

Jayasuriya will take over from Chris Silverwood who was in the position for three years from 2022 to the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024. Silverwood resigned after the silverware tournament where Sri Lanka were out in the group stage. 

Speaking on the appointment, Ashley De Silva, the CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket said: “Sanath with his wealth of international cricketing experience is well-positioned to guide the national team, until we find a permanent solution.”

Jayasuriya hasn’t held a high-profile coaching job before but was present with the Sri Lankan team in the T20 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean in a full-time consultant’s role. The legendary cricketer has also served as Sri Lanka men’s chief selector. 

Jayasuriya played more than 550 international matches for Sri Lanka in a 20-year-old career from 1991 to 2011. He featured in 110 Tests, 445 ODIs and 31 T20Is, playing a pivotal part in Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup winning campaign and taking the team to several highs. Jayasuriya amassed over 22,000 international runs with more than 400 wickets. He also led them in 38 Tests and 118 ODIs, including the 2003 ODI World Cup where Sri Lanka reached the semi-final. 

The fixtures for the home games against India are yet to be announced. The three Tests in England would be played in Manchester, Lord’s and the Oval. 

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