Sri Lanka appoint Mahela Jayawardene as consultant coach for next year

The former captain of the national team was part of his country's coaching staff during the first stage of the recent T20 World Cup

Sri Lanka have appointed former captain Mahela Jayawardene to a consultant coach role for the next 12 months.

Jayawardene, who was part of his country's coaching staff during the first stage of the recent T20 World Cup where a new generation of Sri Lankan players impressed, will work across the national pathway, with an influence from the senior national side down to the under-19 setup and the high-performance centre.

A statement from Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that he would take charge of the "overall cricketing element of the national teams". He will also act as a consultant and mentor ahead of Sri Lanka's Under-19 World Cup campaign, which begins next month in West Indies.

"We are extremely happy that Mahela is joining the national team for an extended role, especially given the context that Sri Lanka has a heavy international calendar during the year 2022," said Ashley de Silva, the national governing body's chief executive.

Although Sri Lanka are currently without a head coach, with Mickey Arthur leaving to take over at Derbyshire, Jayawardene is not filling that role. According to The Island, however, he will have a significant say in how the team is run.

^{Mickey Arthur left his role as head coach following a two-Test series against West Indies (Ishara S. Kodikara/Getty Images)}

Jayawardene is a busy man, highly regarded on the franchise circuit. The terms of the role mean that he will be able to continue as head coach of Southern Brave in The Hundred, as well as with Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

He added: "This is an exciting opportunity to work with the national cricketers and coaches in our various development squads, including the U19 and A teams, to help us do justice to the enormous cricketing talent and potential in Sri Lanka.

"I am very passionate about Sri Lankan cricket and believe that with a coordinated and focused team effort, taking a holistic approach working across all age groups, we can achieve consistent success in the future.

"My main role will be supporting our team of national coaches and support staff in terms of our preparation and strategic thinking during the coming year."

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