Former Sri Lanka Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya started his new journey yesterday when he assumed duty at Sri Lanka Cricket as overall cricket consultant after receiving his appointment letter from Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva at the SLC Headquarters yesterday.
Jayasuriya the Master Blaster who created new chapter int ODI cricket with Romesh Kaluwitharana to make blistering innings from first 15 overs in white ball cricket also was adjudged most valuable cricketer at the winning 1996 World Cup while his experience in all three formats very vital for Sri Lanka Cricket development.
The 54-year-old dashing stroke maker after retiring from cricket entered Politics as a Matara district MP and he was one time Chairman of the National Cricket Selection Committee and also the National Selection Committee.
Jayasuriya who played 110 test matches scoring 6973 runs with 14 centuries also played 445 ODI’’s scoring 13430 runs with 28 centuries and 68 half centuries . He played 31 T-20’s having four half centuries and also got a chance to play franchise cricket IPL (Mumbai Indians) The useful leg spinner had 98 test wickets and 323 ODI wickets.
Sanath Jayasuriya speaking to “
Daily News” yesterday said he is having duties as a Consultant of High Performance Unit at R.Premadasa Stadium looking on SLC coaches role as well as Under-19 consultant duty and overall cricket development consultant work during this hard period. He has to work seriously to make cricket development. Mahela Jayawardene the consultant coach is also under Jayasuriya in this structure and Jayawardena’s contract also was renewed last week.
Jayasuriya is already involved with legend cricket tournaments with former National cricketers isvery keen to follow senior and junior cricket and he also met Under-19 cricketers in Dubai during the ongoing Asia Cup cricket tournament. His role as a consultant is very challenging but he is ready to work for the success of Sri Lanka cricket.
International cricket , Domestic cricket , Women’s cricket , School cricket are the major areas to look for Jayasuriya and he is expected to work with coaches as well as administration officials to draw up plans to build up cricket in Sri Lanka.
Upul Tharanga the former opener who opened with Jayasuriya those days already appointed as the Chairman of the National Selection Committee while former Sri Lanka ‘A’ player and former Mahinda skipper Duminda Wickramasinghe is tipped to be Chairman of the National Junior Cricket Selection Committee and yesterday Sanath Jayasuriya met National Cricket Selection Committee and five member Provincial cricket selection committee to discuss further developments of domestic and International cricket.
The reliable sources close to SLC said Jayasuriya has an idea to give more prominence for the local coaches ahead of foreign coaches and he is ready to get former players like Chaminda Vaas, Upul Chandana, Rangana Herath and T.M. Dilshan, Avishka Gunawardena and Thilina Kandamby for the coaches role in future.
Sri Lanka cricket team ready to face Zimbabwe in their next series while the National Under-19 team will tour South Africa for Under-19 World Cup and Jayasuriya is expected to get more success with new selectors as well and new coaches for these series and his main idea to develop cricket smoothly without any political interference.