Former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya back into the selection committee

Sanath Jayasuriya has returned to the selection panel as chief selector, a year later since he stepped down from the role, as confirmed by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board. The board desired to reinstall Jayasuriya as chief selector for a long time but was awaiting the sports minister’s approval, which they have finally received.

The new selection panel will take office for two years, starting on May 1.

The four-member panel also includes Jayasuriya’s former opening partner, wicketkeeper-batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana; former fast bowler Eric Upashantha, who has previously worked in Jayasuriya’s committee; and former offspinner Ranjith Madurasinghe, who is currently a member of the selection committee.

SLC secretary Mohan de Silva's said that Jayasuriya had joined Aravinda de Silva's panel in the weeks preceding his appointment "in order to provide continuity", as reported by ESPN.

The De Silva-led committee will select the Test squad to England, since the team is expected to depart on 4 May. However, Jayasuriya’s panel will assume office on May 1 and will select the team for the limited-overs matches of the England tour.

From January 2013 to March 2015, when Jayasuriya previously held office, Sri Lanka won a World T20 and a Test series in England, both in 2014. They also made it to the 2015 World Cup quarter-finals.

Angelo Mathews was assigned Test and ODI captaincy under Jayasuriya’s panel. But the period was also highlighted by conflicts between Jayasuriya and the senior players, namely, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, who have now retired.

Post the England tour, Sri Lanka are scheduled to host Australia in July and August, before visiting South Africa for a full tour in December.