Jayasuriya to return as SL’s chief selector

COLOMBO: Sanath Jayasuriya is set to take over as Sri Lanka’s chief selector once more, a little over a year after he stepped down from the role. The board has virtually confirmed Jayasuriya’s appointment, though they have not made a formal announcement yet.

“In wanting to take Sri Lankan cricket to a new path, we have put some changes in place,” SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala told Divaina. “As such, we are expecting to appoint Sanath Jayasuriya as the new chairman of selectors.”

Former wicket-keeper batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana and former offspinner Ranjith Madurasingha are also expected to be part of the committee, according to SLC vice president Mohan de Silva.

Jayasuriya will replace Aravinda de Silva, who had only signed on for a two-month role, ahead of the World T20. SLC has not finalised the Jayasuriya-led committee’s term, but “hopefully,” Mohan de Silva said, “it will be up to the next [2019] World Cup.”

The SLC vice president also said that while Aravinda’s committee is due to select the Test squad for the England tour, it will now do so in consultation with Jayasuriya, “in order to provide continuity”.

With present selectors Kumar Sangakkara and Lalith Kaluperuma out of the country, Jayasuriya will effectively become a selector of that committee, before he takes over the reins at the end of April.