Mahela Jayawardene 'still short of experience' to coach Sri Lanka: SLC President

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Thilanga Sumathipala has opined that Mahela Jayawardene is not experienced enough to take over as the head coach of the Sri Lanka national cricket team. Earlier, Graham Ford stepped down as the head coach following the team’s early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy.

Jayawardene, who retired from all forms of international cricket in 2014, is considered as one of the best cricketing brains around the world. He has some experience in the role of a coach, having served the purpose for Indian Premier League side Mumbai Indians.

Following Ford’s exit, there have been reports that Jayawardene could be a potential replacement.

Sumathipala quashed all reports

Speaking to Neth FM radio, the SLC President, however, quashed all reports as he said, “Mahela is still short of experience as a senior coach, he may be good as a T20 batting or a fielding coach.” He further said that the former captain still has some of his playing day contemporaries in the national side.

It was Jayawardene and fellow teammate Kumar Sangakkara’s international retirement at the same time that hurt the Sri Lankan team badly. Having lost two of their most experienced and consistent batsmen, the team has plummeted in all ICC Rankings ever since.

Ford, who was 15 months into his second stint with the team, decided to step down over reported differences in opinion with Sumathipala’s management. Since 2011, Sri Lanka has had nine interim and permanent coaches.

Sources have claimed that the SLC was mulling approaching the head coach of the Bangladesh national team, Chandika Hathurusinghe, to take over the vacant position. However, Hathurusinghe is under contract with the Bangladeshis until 2019.

Other names being floated around are Stephen Fleming, Scott Styris and Tom Moody. Meanwhile, a few reports have claimed that Jayawardene is in line to replace Kumble as the head coach of the Indian national team. However, the Lankan legend quashed all the reports.