Chris Silverwood has resigned as the head coach of Sri Lanka’s national cricket team citing personal reasons. The Sri Lanka Cricket Board announced his departure on Thursday June 27 marking the end of a two-year tenure.
Silverwood’s decision comes shortly after Mahela Jayawardene stepped down from his role as consultant coach following Sri Lanka’s disappointing performance in the recent T20 World Cup. The team failed to progress beyond the group stage a setback that has prompted significant changes in the coaching setup.
In his farewell statement Silverwood emphasized the challenges of balancing international coaching with family life. “Being an international coach means long periods away from loved ones” he explained. “After lengthy conversations with my family and with a heavy heart I feel it is now time for me to return home.”
The 49-year-old Englishman took charge of Sri Lanka in April 2022 fresh off his stint with the England national team. His tenure saw both highs and lows including an Asia Cup victory in 2022 and a 3-2 ODI series win against Australia. However recent World Cup performances have been less than stellar.
As Sri Lanka Cricket looks to the future the search for a new head coach begins. The board will be keen to find a leader who can build on Silverwood’s successes while addressing the team’s recent struggles in major tournaments.