Jayasuriya’s tenure as Sri Lanka Men’s Head Coach set for year extension

WEB DESK: Sanath Jayasuriya is on track to continue as the head coach of the Sri Lanka men’s cricket team for another year, extending his contract beyond the current World Test Championship cycle, ESPN Cricinfo reported on Sunday.

Since stepping in as interim coach in early July, Jayasuriya has guided the team to notable successes, including a series victory against India in ODIs, a Test win at The Oval, and another at home against New Zealand.

New Zealand in shambles as Sri Lanka dominates

Following the departure of Chris Silverwood in late June, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had opened applications for a permanent head coach. However, with significant improvements visible in at least two of Sri Lanka’s three teams under Jayasuriya’s leadership, SLC is moving forward with plans to secure him for a longer tenure.

“We’re in the final stages of contract negotiations,” SLC CEO Ashley de Silva shared with ESPNcricinfo. “You can expect an announcement in the next few days.”

Originally appointed as a cricket consultant in December, Jayasuriya was meant to focus on the High Performance Centre but ended up traveling with the squad to the T20 World Cup and eventually taking on the head coach role.

While his tenure has included a T20I series loss against India and two Test defeats in England, the overall progress has been noteworthy. Sri Lanka is currently in contention for a spot in the World Test Championship final, and an extended contract for Jayasuriya would take the team through the end of the current cycle.

Player feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with veteran Angelo Mathews describing Jayasuriya’s appointment as a “turning point” for the squad.

Champions Trophy preparations expedited, PCB Chairman

“Sanath has been outstanding as both cricket director and coach,” Mathews stated. “His communication is excellent, and he’s granted us a lot of freedom. We’re all united in our goals, and he’s done a fantastic job in developing our players.”

Jayasuriya previously served as chief selector during two stints over the last decade, which were marked by inconsistent performances from the team. However, his current role has brought much-needed stability and progress.