Jayawardene, selectors stand down
Law appointed coach for England tour.
COLOMBO:
Veteran batsman and former captain Mahela Jayawardene quit as vice-captain and a three-member selection committee also resigned in a major shake-up in Sri Lankan cricket following the team’s defeat in the World Cup final.
Jayawardene, who has also served as the team’s captain, said that he believed a younger member should take over.
“I think it’s time to move on, give the reins to someone younger in the team,” said the batsman.
The resignations came a day after Kumar Sangakkara stepped down as the limited-overs captain. Jayawardene, 33, was vice-captain for the World Cup where Sri Lanka lost to India by six wickets in the final in Mumbai despite his impressive century. Along with the batsman, the selectors, led by former batsman Aravinda de Silva, also handed in their resignations. De Silva was the vice-captain of the 1996 World Cup-winning Sri Lankan side.
Law appointed interim coach
Meanwhile, former Australia batsman Stuart Law has been appointed interim coach of the team for the tour of England starting next month.
Law had assisted outgoing coach Trevor Bayliss since 2009, who had earlier stated that he would be resigning after the World Cup. Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga confirmed the former batsman’s appointment.
“We’ve requested Law to take over as coach for the England tour until we finalise our headhunt for Trevor Bayliss’ successor,” said Ranatunga.
The tour commences in the second week of May, which comprises three Tests and five One-Day Internationals.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2011.
Veteran batsman and former captain Mahela Jayawardene quit as vice-captain and a three-member selection committee also resigned in a major shake-up in Sri Lankan cricket following the team’s defeat in the World Cup final.
Jayawardene, who has also served as the team’s captain, said that he believed a younger member should take over.
“I think it’s time to move on, give the reins to someone younger in the team,” said the batsman.
The resignations came a day after Kumar Sangakkara stepped down as the limited-overs captain. Jayawardene, 33, was vice-captain for the World Cup where Sri Lanka lost to India by six wickets in the final in Mumbai despite his impressive century. Along with the batsman, the selectors, led by former batsman Aravinda de Silva, also handed in their resignations. De Silva was the vice-captain of the 1996 World Cup-winning Sri Lankan side.
Law appointed interim coach
Meanwhile, former Australia batsman Stuart Law has been appointed interim coach of the team for the tour of England starting next month.
Law had assisted outgoing coach Trevor Bayliss since 2009, who had earlier stated that he would be resigning after the World Cup. Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga confirmed the former batsman’s appointment.
“We’ve requested Law to take over as coach for the England tour until we finalise our headhunt for Trevor Bayliss’ successor,” said Ranatunga.
The tour commences in the second week of May, which comprises three Tests and five One-Day Internationals.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2011.