Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has taken a monumental step forward by appointing the legendary former Sri Lanka skipper Sanath Jayasuriya as the organization’s full-time “cricket consultant.” With his appointment set for a one-year term, Jayasuriya will take on the responsibility of overseeing the high-performance centre at Khettarama. His role extends beyond supervisory duties, as he is also tasked with refining the skill sets of players and overseeing the coaching staff.
The key objective of Jayasuriya’s appointment is to inject a higher degree of professionalism into the national programs. By ensuring strict monitoring of players and coaching staff, the expectation is that this will lead to a culture of excellence across all levels of Sri Lankan cricket. The SLC media release outlined that Jayasuriya is expected to manage the training and coaching requirements of all teams associated with the high-performance center, including implementation of individual skill development strategies that align with Sri Lanka’s ongoing player development plans. Moreover, compliance with all player reporting, in accordance with the SLC’s athlete management system, falls under his scope of work.
Bringing Jayasuriya into this strategic role is not the SLC’s first time incorporating the talents of the former all-rounder into their ecosystem. Jayasuriya has previously served two stints as the chief selector for Sri Lanka. However, his initial role was tainted with controversy due to accusations of bias in player selection, purportedly influenced by his associations with governmental figures at the time of his parliamentary tenure.
The recent appointment of Jayasuriya serves as a significant stride towards restructuring and revitalizing Sri Lanka Cricket after a string of disappointing performances. Most notably, the SLC has also revamped its selection committee, now comprising of former cricketers Dilruwan Perera, Indika de Saram, Tharanga Paranavitana, and the enigmatic spinner Ajantha Mendis. The committee will be chaired by Jayasuriya’s former opening partner, Upul Tharanga.
The recent changes were hastened in the wake of Sri Lanka’s disheartening campaign at the World Cup held in India. The team’s performance fell short of expectations, culminating in a ninth-place finish after the round-robin stage and failure to qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The SLC’s appointments mark a clear signal to the cricketing world that they are dedicated to a course-correction and are preparing to rebuild the team’s competitive edge on the global stage.
Jayasuriya’s wealth of experience as a player and an administrator is anticipated to be a key asset in his new consultancy role. His appointment hopes to bridge gaps in strategy, player development, and operational efficiency, impacting the national teams riding from the grassroots to the top tier of Sri Lankan cricket.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Cricket’s fresh approach extends to their anticipation of the new selection committee’s impact under Tharanga’s leadership. With a focus on adopting a clear and visionary methodology in player choices, the committee’s role will be crucial in assembling teams that can deliver enduring success.
The SLC’s moves to instill new leadership and expertise are being watched closely by fans and analysts alike, with high hopes that the iconic Jayasuriya, along with the new selection committee, can steer Sri Lankan cricket back towards its former glory. With these calculated steps and a focus on high-performance driven by cricketing intelligence, Sri Lanka is poised to reignite the passion and prowess that once made them a formidable force in world cricket.