“It’s a team effort, not magic”

The Sri Lanka cricket team has risen to the occasion again, winning a Test series against New Zealand in Galle after 15 years. This win moved Sri Lanka to third place in the ICC Test Championship, behind India and Australia.

Following this series win, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) appointed Sanath Jayasuriya as the full-time head coach for one year after the New Zealand series. Jayasuriya had previously been the Head of the High-Performance Centre and served as interim head coach during the India and England series.

“I’m not a magician who can bring success by myself. It’s all about the team’s effort. With good commitment, we can get good results,” said Jayasuriya. “As a coach, I can’t do everything. I’ve had great support from the players, reserves, and support staff.”

“I like taking on challenges. As a former player, I want to do my best for the country and work hard to see the team win. It’s importance to build the right mindset in players rather than focusing solely on technical aspects,” said Jayasuriya.

“When the team loses, both players and coaches face criticism. Our first job is to give players confidence. I’m lucky to have the support of my coaching staff, Thilina Kandamby (batting coach), Upul Chandana (fielding coach), Piyal Wijethunga (spin coach), and Chamila Gamage (fast bowling coach). They all play important roles, and there’s pressure on them too.”

“When players fail with the bat, ball, or fielding, the coaches are also responsible. We keep discipline on and off the field, which is important in cricket,” he said.

Sri Lanka Cricket has a Brain Centre and a High-Performance Centre at R. Premadasa Stadium to analyse player performance. “We assess everything two days before each match to help players feel confident,” said Jayasuriya. He said that both experienced players and youngsters show strong commitment, supporting each other as the team culture continues to improve.

“I appreciate our selection committee, led by Upul Tharanga, for building a strong team. I encourage players to give their best effort on the field. When national players excel, they inspire school players. As a coach, I believe credit should go to the players for their performance, not me,” he said.

“I don’t have any favorites on the team; my goal is to support all players. We discuss and motivate them, especially when someone struggles. It’s the coach’s duty to provide that support. We need to realise the value of Test cricket, which has evolved. Today’s batting style is faster than in the past, so players must adjust. Fitness is the main thing, and players must recognise that and work hard,” he said.

“Sometimes, we need to make strategic changes for the team’s benefit. For example, we moved Kamindu to number five, Kusal to number seven, and promoted Chandimal to number three, and those plans were executed well,” he said.

Source:Daily News