Jayasuriya to discuss his future with selectors

[gobbles21]

Jayasuriya to discuss his future with selectors
Charlie Austin - 20 March 2003

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Sanath Jayasuriya will discuss his future as Sri Lanka captain with selectors once he returns from South Africa.

The Sri Lanka team is due back in Colombo on Friday morning having lost their semi-final clash to Australia by 48 runs on Thursday.

The three-man selection panel will then sit down over the weekend with Jayasuriya, asking the 33-year-old whether he wants to step down after four years in charge.

"We will ask Sanath (Jayasuriya) whether he wants to carry on, or whether he would prefer to concentrate on his batting," said Guy de Alwis, the chairman of the selectors.

Despite speculation over a change at the helm, Jayasuriya is unlikely to suffer the same fate as Pakistan's Waqar Younis and South Africa's Shaun Pollock, both of whom have already been axed.

However, the 33-year-old may believe the time has come to hand over the reins to his vice-captain Marvan Atapattu.

Jayasuriya took over the leadership from Arjuna Ranatunga immediately after the 1999 World Cup in England.

Once the captaincy issue has been resolved then the selectors will finalise their squad for the Sharjah Cup starting April 1.

Local newspapers had claimed that wicket-keeping discard Romesh Kaluwitharana and middle order batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan had already been recalled but this has been dismissed by the chairman of selectors.

"This is pure speculation," said de Alwis. "We cannot pick the side until the team management returns from South Africa

[JLC]

I think Sri Lanka will need to keep developing the younger players. Aravinda and Tillers will retire. They are two quality batsman who have been a major part of the Lankans line up for years.

An interesting point to note is that Gunaratna the guy who got belted the other night.(whatever his name is) played against my friend in club cricket not so long ago.....lol lol

jlc

[Donny]

Looks like he'll be heading back there too, JLC. Lol. You'd have to be crazy to bounce Gilchrist in your first over!!