With immediate effect, Chris Silverwood has resigned as the men’s team head coach of Sri Lanka. Silverwood began working there in April 2022. In April, SLC decided to extend his contract through the conclusion of the current T20 World Cup.
Ashley de Silva, the CEO of SLC, informed ESPNcricinfo that Silverwood had announced his resignation before the board had been any internal conversations about whether or not to give him a longer term.
In a statement released by SLC, Silverwood stated, “Being an international coach means long periods away from loved ones.” “After lengthy conversations with my family and with a heavy heart, I feel it is now time for me to return home and spend some quality time together.”
Silverwood expressed gratitude to the SLC management, coaches, players, and backroom crew, stating that he would be “taking away many fond memories” from his time there.
As a former fast bowler, Silverwood will be recognized for prioritizing the growth of Sri Lanka’s pace capabilities. Under his leadership, players such as Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, and Nuwan Thushara have all excelled. During his leadership, Sri Lanka advanced to the 2023 ODI Asia Cup final and won the T20 Asia Cup in 2022.
But over this period, Sri Lanka has also had two terrible World Cup campaigns. They failed to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy after finishing ninth in the ODI World Cup last year. They also lost to South Africa and Bangladesh in the opening round of the current T20 World Cup, sending them home.
According to the CEO of SLC, the board would “also be doing some head-hunting” in addition to advertising the head coach position. According to him, the board was also thinking of hiring local coaches for the role.
The Tests in England, which begin on August 21, are the team’s next significant match.
