Reports: Sri Lanka Cricket hoping to rope in Mahela Jayawardene in coaching staff

Post the exit of Mickey Arthur, Sri Lanka Cricket has given a green signal to the Cricket Committee’s move to include former captain Mahela Jayawardene to the national cricket team’s coaching staff. The board is planning to rope him as one of the consultant coaches on a two-year tenure. There are also talks on the inclusion of Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekara and Lasith Malinga as consultant coaches.

It is also reported that Jayawardene will monitor the national team, Sri Lanka ‘A’ team, and the Under-19 team as well. During his stint, he will also be allowed to fulfill his commitments with franchises such as Mumbai Indians in IPL and Southern Brave in England’s The Hundred.

According to the SLC sources, the board is looking to follow India’s template of roping in local coaching talents. They will put their thinking hats on for foreign appointments for the head coach position and that too if they are unable to appoint someone locally.

We would be delighted if Mahela Jayawardene agrees to come on board: SLC official

“We would be delighted if Mahela agrees to come on board. You could see the difference he made when he was with the side in UAE and the feedback that we had from the players and coaching staff was excellent,” an SLC official told The Island.

As reported by The Island, the former Sri Lanka cricketer is a tad bit reluctant to take up the role if any foreign travel is involved and that he will work with the team majorly in Colombo. He has also expressed his thoughts on having a proper structure and plan before he commits to any role. Jayawardene is already working on the blueprint for the Under-19 team for the upcoming World Cup.

Previously there were discussions that Roshan Mahanama would take up the responsibility of the Head Coach. However, now it is understood that the SLC is looking forward to having him as Director of Cricket replacing Tom Moody.

Mickey Arthur had earlier confirmed that he is all set to join the English county, Derbyshire after SLC signaled that his contract will not be renewed.  He had taken the role of head coach in the year 2019 and had quite a dismaying outing with the side owing to injuries to some prominent players and three key players getting suspended.