Shocks continue to rattle
Former opening partners Sanath Jayasuriya (C) and Upul Tharanga (L) is set to become partners again, but in a different scale - File pic
One-and-a-half years after making sweeping changes to the national team coaching structure, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is looking at another major overhaul in the wake of Sri Lanka’s dismal show at the recent World Cup.
However, this is in contrast to what was demanded by former players, fans and even the politicians, who wanted the entire Board to step down amidst disappointing performances and allegations of corruption.
Sri Lanka lost seven of their nine games at the World Cup, squandering their chance of qualifying for the 2025 Champions Trophy–a disappointing performance that led the former Minister of Sports to sack the Shammi Silva-led SLC Executive Committee.
The Board survived. They challenged the decision in court and are making several changes to the coaching department as well the selectors–as if these sections were the only ones responsible for the multitudinous ills within the national setup.
In addition to the new faces expected in the positions of assistant coach, fast bowling coach, spin bowling coach and fielding coach, the Board has roped in Sanath Jayasuriya as a full-time consultant for SLC.
His job entails “providing valuable insights and expertise in various aspects of cricket with a particular focus on the national level”. His responsibilities will encompass consultancy services related to technical aspects, training, coaching and overall development of the national team. This is to be ‘thoroughly’ discussed to ensure alignment with SLC’s strategic objectives.
SLC sources said that Jayasuriya will, in effect, head the High Performance Centre (HPC), overlooking training of national players while Jerome Jayaratne is expected to rejoin the HPC to work with Jayasuriya. Jayaratne is currently attached to the SLC head office as Chief Operating Officer.
The former skipper has served as chief cricket selector at various times since his retirement. A 5-0 home series defeat to India in June 2017 cut short Jayasuriya’s last assignment as chief cricket selector and six years later, the 54-year-old is back. During his absence, Jayasuriya served a two-year ban after he admitted to a violation of ICC’s anti-corruption code.
It will be interesting to see how he works with Mahela Jayawardena, who is currently consultant coach in-charge of the overall cricketing element of the national team and provides ‘strategic support’ to players and the HPC.
The two former greats have been on a collision course for some time and some expect Jayasuriya’s entry into the system to see the end of Jayawardena’s association with SLC, unless clarity is provided regarding their roles.
Jayawardena was instrumental in restructuring the domestic cricket system, introducing a new five-team provincial tournament to improve the quality and competitiveness of first-class cricket. He also backed the youth-based policy of the Pramodya Wickremasinge-led selection committee during the last two years. But with new selectors expected to enter, and Jayasuriya having a larger say with regard to the national team, there could be a deviation from the youth policy.
New Sports Minister Harin Fernando’s announcement this week in parliament of Upul Tharanga’s appointment as chairman of the selection committee came as a shocker, as it was made even before the national selection committee headed by General Shavendra Silva sat down to evaluate the 10 names forwarded by the SLC for consideration for selector spots.
Tharanga has retired from international cricket but continues to play domestic cricket and international league cricket. If he is to become a selector, he must retire from playing. He is yet to announce that. The same applies to some other names floating around as replacements for former selectors.
SLC nominees includes the three former selectors. The list is Pramodya Wickremasinghe, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Hemantha Devapriya, Upul Tharanga, Tharanga Paranavithana, Dilruwan Perera, Ajantha Mendis, Vinothan John, Indika de Saram and Farveez Maharoof. Maharoof, however, is not in favour of playing a role as a selector as he is pursuing a career in commentary.
A national selection committee source said that they are studying the candidates and will make their recommendations by early next week to the Minister of Sports.
Head coach Chris Silverwood will remain at least until the end of his two-year term in April but the rest of the coaching staff–the assistant coach, the fast-bowling coach, the fielding coach and the spin bowling coach–are likely to be replaced in the hope that the changes will herald a new chapter.
Sri Lanka’s first assignment will be against Zimbabwe at home, followed by series against Afghanistan and Bangladesh also at home, before heading to the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA.