Mahela Jayawardene, has reportedly shown his interest in principle to take over as consultant of Sri Lanka Under-19 team from October this year.
One of the brightest things to happen for Sri Lanka’s cricket is Mahela Jayawardene, it is ready to take over the position following his Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments this year in October in UAE, will guide the young Lankans to next year’s International Cricket Council (ICC) U-19 World Cup.
Mahela Jayawardene Reportedly Shown Interest In Coaching The Sri Lankan U-19 Team
Former Sri Lankan captain and the current Mumbai Indians’ head coach, Mahela Jayawardene has reportedly shown his interest in coaching the Sri Lanka U-19 team but Sri Lanka Cricket has denied being aware of such a move.
“We (SLC) are not aware of such a move. The move would have been made by the Technical Committee (headed by Aravinda de Silva),” a senior SLC ex-co official meanwhile disclosed. Our efforts to contact Jayawardene on the possible new appointment were not successful last afternoon.”
The 2022 ICC U-19 World Cup, which is a limited-overs tournament, is scheduled to be held in the West Indies, reportedly early next year with 16 teams taking part. It will be the 14th edition of the tournament and the first to be held in the West Indies. Bangladesh is the defending champions.
Eleven countries, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, have already qualified for the event by virtue of a top-11 finish in the previous (2020) edition.
Sri Lanka finished 10th last year in South Africa. 33 teams, which are to be decided through seven regional events to be held this year, will fight out for the remaining five spots, the ICC announced last year. Sri Lanka has never won the U-19 World Cup. The team is also scheduled to play in the Youth Asia Cup and two bilateral series against strong England and India as well this year.
Mahela Jayawardene May Coach Sri Lanka U-19 Team From October 2021
With the ICC U19 World Cup all set to take place in the West Indies next year in 2022, Mahela Jayawardene’s appointment will be a big thing in Sri Lankan cricket. The 14th edition of the limited-overs tournament will be held for the first time in the Caribbean Islands with Bangladesh entering the competition as the defending champions.
Sri Lankan cricket is in a total mess. After their abject surrender against England in the limited-overs series, the fans, experts and critics have come hard on the players and also on the management. Things got a bit worse when three of the players got suspended after breaching the bubble in England.
Three players — vice-captain Kusal Mendis, opening batsman Danushka Gunathilaka and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella — were sent home for breaching the team’s coronavirus bubble.
But all is not lost if speculations are to be believed, as the former Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene is tipped to take over as consultant for the Under-19 team.
Apparently, the former player and ex-captain has shown keen interest in this role and is tipped to come onboard from October 2021. This news definitely comes as a shot in the arm for the Lankan team, who are in desperate need of revival.