Sanath Jayasuriya to stay as Sri Lanka coach as SLC likely to extend contract

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Sanath Jayasuriya is set to remain at the Sri Lanka cricket helm as there are reports of a possible contract extension for him as the head coach of the team.

The Sri Lankan cricket team has experienced significant success since Sanath Jayasuriya assumed the role of interim head coach in early July.

Under his guidance, they achieved an ODI series victory against India and won Test matches at The Oval and in Galle against New Zealand. These accomplishments have led Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to consider extending Jayasuriya's tenure as head coach for another year.

Jayasuriya initially joined as a cricket consultant in December 2023, focusing on the High Performance Centre. His influence became more pronounced after he accompanied the team to the T20 World Cup and later took over as interim head coach. Despite some setbacks, including a T20I series loss and two Test defeats against England, the team's overall progress has been promising.

Sri Lanka is now vying for a place in the World Test Championship final, showcasing their improved performance under Jayasuriya's leadership. The SLC is reportedly in discussions to formalise his role on a long-term basis, reflecting their satisfaction with his contributions.

A report by ESPNcricinfo indicates that SLC is close to finalising negotiations with Jayasuriya regarding his contract extension.

"We are in the final stages of negotiating the contract with him. Probably, in the next two or three days you will get to hear more," stated SLC CEO Ashley de Silva, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Jayasuriya's previous experience as Sri Lanka's chief selector during two separate terms has also contributed to his effective coaching strategies. His ability to adapt and lead across various formats has been instrumental in the team's recent achievements.

It will come as a massive boost for Sri Lanka if he is to stay as head coach. The recent upsurge in results for the Lankans is a positive for them and they will be hoping for further improvements under Jayasuriya's guidance.