Sanath Jayasuriya and co. resign after poor run against India

Former Sri Lankan batsman and Chief Selector, Sanath Jayasuriya, has decided to resign along with his fellow members of the selection committee, looking at the dismal performances of the Sri Lankan side in the recent past. They would remain in charge until the T20I against India if and when their services are required, in case any addition is needed to be made.

The committee would bow out once the Indian tour concludes. Their contract was recently extended for six months, two months back. The contract would have been terminated by the end of the year. The sudden announcement came in the aftermath of recent defeat against India in the Third ODI at Pallekele. With the defeat, Sri Lanka lost yet another bilateral series following the humiliating defeat against Zimbabwe.

They also lost the Test series against Bangladesh following their torrid tour to South Africa. Sri Lankans also were knocked out of the Champions Trophy in the league stages of the tournament as they dropped some crucial catches against Pakistan.

“Sri Lanka Cricket chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya, as well as committee members Ranjith Madurasinghe, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Asanka Gurusinha and Eric Upashantha, have decided to resign. A combined letter bearing the names of the above committee has conveyed this decision to sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekara. According to the letter, their tenure will end on September 7,” commented Sri Lanka’s sports ministry according to ESPN Cricinfo.

Jayasuriya defends his committee

Sanath Jayasuriya has faced a lot of heat recently as the committee was criticized for rapid chopping and changing in the side and failing to entrust confidence in talented players by giving them a longer run. As a result, many demanded the resignation of the members of Sri Lanka’s selection committee.

Jayasuriya, on the other hand, publically defended his committee, claiming that the volume of injuries Sri Lanka suffered over the past year led to the frequent changes to the XI. Since May last year, when the committee was appointed, Sri Lanka fielded 51 international cricketers across formats, including 40 in ODIs alone.