Jayasuriya appointed cricket consultant to uplift Sri Lanka cricket

Friday, 15 December 2023 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sanath Jayasuriya

Former Sri Lanka Captain Sanath Jayasuriya has been appointed cricket consultant to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in order to address the gradual decline of Sri Lanka cricket at all levels internationally.

A member of Sri Lanka’s World Cup winning team of 1996, Jayasuriya will work directly with SLC’s High Performance Centre at Khettarama as a consultant. He will oversee all teams at the HPC providing his expertise in several key areas such as training, coaching and overall development of the national squads.

Sri Lanka’s coaching staff and the HPC faced a severe backlash following the national team’s dismal showing in the recently concluded Cricket World Cup in India, where they ended up ninth in the league standings thus failing to qualify for a place in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

This was followed by Sri Lanka’s Under 19 cricketers embarrassing defeat to UAE in the ACC

Under 19 Asia Cup where Sri Lanka failed to qualify for a place in the semi-finals.

The 54-year-old cricketing legend whose appointment is with immediate effect will review and analyse the current cricket structures and design a clear and effective development plan from junior level to academy and to the national team to uplift national teams at all levels internationally.

A former national chairman of selectors Jayasuriya is presently involved with promoting tourism in the country in the role of Sri Lanka Tourism Brand Ambassador with Tourism and Sports Minister Harin Fernando.

Another former Sri Lanka Captain Mahela Jayawardene is currently the consultant coach of the national team.