Jayawardene gets back captaincy

Fathima Zanaida January 24, 2012 0

Jayawardene gets back captaincy

COLOMBO: The veteran Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene was reappointed captain of the national cricket team on Monday following Tillakaratne Dilshan resigned from the post following a turbulent period.

Sri Lankan cricket team lost a home series against Australia, then Pakistan defeated them in Test, ODI, and T20 series in United Arab Emirates before South Africa defeated the Islanders in Tests and ODIs, thus painting a gloomy picture of Tillakaratne Dilshan’s tenure as Sri Lankan captain.

Sri Lankan Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage made the announcement here Monday. He said, “Dilshan has sent his resignation letter so therefore the selectors met Monday and appointed Mahela Jayawardene as the captain and Angelo Mathews as his deputy”.

Tillakaratne Dilshan never enjoyed a successful stint as Sri Lankan captain and his side’s humiliating defeat in South Africa prompted him to call it a day as the visitors lost the Test series 2-1 and then One Day International series 3-2.

Tillakaratne Dilshan had assumed the charge as captain from Kumar Sangakkara after India defeated Sri Lanka in final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 at Wankhede Stadium of Mumbai. But the aggressive opening batsman could never prove himself as a good captain as he didn’t win even a single Test or ODI series during his stint.

Before Kumar Sangakkara, it was Mahela Jayawardene who used to lead the side and the gutsy skipper had done the job for over three years from 2006 till 2009 before political changes in the cricket board forced him out of the job.

The Sri Lankan Sports Minister also announced that Mahela Jayawardene will lead the Islanders in all three formats of the game.