• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 06/27/2024
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Chris Silverwood has resigned immediately as head coach of Sri Lanka’s men’s cricket team. Silverwood, who took the role in April 2022, had his tenure extended until the end of the ongoing T20 World Cup. SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said in an interview that Silverwood stood down from the role before the board could discuss extending his contract further.

Cris Silverwood steps down from position of Sri Lanka’s head coach

“Being an international coach means long periods away from loved ones,” Silverwood stated. “After lengthy conversations with my family and with a heavy heart, I feel it is now time for me to return home and spend some quality time together.”

“Being an international coach means long periods away from loved ones. After lengthy conversations with my family and with a heavy heart, I feel it is now time for me to return home and spend some quality time together,” said Chris Silverwood🗣️ pic.twitter.com/hBCwDDgMC9

— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) June 27, 2024

Silverwood expressed gratitude to the players, coaches, backroom staff, and SLC management, saying he would cherish many fond memories from his time in Sri Lanka. Silverwood, a former fast bowler, focused on developing Sri Lanka’s pace attack, bringing players like Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, and Nuwan Thushara into prominence. Under his leadership, Sri Lanka won the T20 Asia Cup in 2022 and reached the final of the 2023 ODI Asia Cup.

However, Sri Lanka also faced significant challenges during his tenure. They finished ninth in the 2023 ODI World Cup and failed to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Additionally, they were eliminated in the first round of the ongoing T20 World Cup after losses to South Africa and Bangladesh.

Also read Mahela Jayawardene Cuts Ties with Sri Lanka as consultant coach

The board will advertise the head coach role and undertake head-hunting efforts, considering local coaches as well. The next major fixtures for Sri Lanka are the Tests in England, starting on August 21.

In a related development, Mahela Jayawardene has resigned from his position as Consultant Coach of Sri Lanka with immediate effect. Jayawardene, who took up the role in 2022, implemented significant changes in the national team’s structure and the High-Performance Center. Despite the recent setbacks, Jayawardene’s contributions to Sri Lanka cricket are acknowledged, and he leaves with best wishes from the board.