Sanath to continue as interim head coach for NZ series

Sri Lanka interim Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya received assistance from former Sri Lanka Captain Kumar Sangakkara during the England series 

Former Sri Lanka Captain Sanath Jayasuriya is to continue in his role as interim head coach for this month’s two-Test series against New Zealand at Galle.

The first Test starts on 18 September.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) sources said that Jayasuriya will be asked to continue in his present position as they have not yet been able to find a suitable candidate to fit into the role of head coach yet.

Jayasuriya was appointed by SLC to oversee the two series against India (white ball), at home, and England (red ball), away. In both series, Sri Lanka performed excellently. 

After losing 3-0 to India in the T20I series, Sri Lanka bounced back to beat India 2-0 in the ODI series. In England, after losing the first two Tests, they came back strong to win the third and final Test, depriving England of a clean sweep of the three-match series.

At the end of the series, Jayasuriya also expressed his thoughts of being keen to continue in his role for the New Zealand series. “If SLC wants me to continue for the New Zealand series, I will do it,” he said. Meanwhile, SLC are contemplating whether to go with a foreign coach or appoint a local coach, giving him foreign assistance.

A decision is to be taken before the start of the white ball series against West Indies at home next month.            – (ST)