Sanath Jayasuriya gets extension after producing results as Sri Lanka head coach

Sanath Jayasuriya became the interim head coach of Sri Lanka in July 2024.

In a significant development, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to extend Sanath Jayasuriya’s contract as the head coach for the senior men’s cricket team for one year.

On July 8, 2024, the SLC named Jayasuriya as the interim head coach after Chris Silverwood’s exit following Lanka’s poor show in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Jayasuriya had initially been appointed cricket consultant for one year in December 2023, but travelled with the side during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June. He then took over as the interim head coach after Silverwood resigned.

The SLC had advertised inviting applications for permanent head coach’s position after Silverwood’s departure. But, now after being happy with the team’s performances under Jayasuriya, SLC has decided to offer him a one-year extension.

How has Sri Lanka performed under interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya?

Jayasuriya’s tenure as the interim coach started with being whitewashed by Indian in a three-match T20I series at home. However, Sri Lanka bounced back to win the ODI series 2-0.

Then, they lost the first two tests against England, but stunned the Three Lions with a victory at The Oval.

They carried this momentum into the home series against New Zealand by winning the first test in Galle. In the second test, at the time of writing, they are on the verge of a win by an innings and only need two more wickets to seal it.

Senior player Angelo Mathews heaped praise on the interim head coach, saying, “Sanath Jayasuriya was superb as cricket director and now as coach. 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.”

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