Jayasuriya officially stands down as skipper

Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya officially tendered his resignation on Friday morning, handing over a letter to cricket board chief executive Anura Tennekoon.

Jayasuriya had resigned immediately after the World Cup but was persuaded to stay on for the Sharjah Cup so the selectors could identify a successor.

"He handed over a letter to me this morning and I have informed the chairman of selectors," said Tennekoon.

With two selectors currently out of the country, the five-man panel are expected to discuss the captaincy after the Sinhalese New Year next week.

The committee, headed by former Sri Lanka leg-spinner Lalith Kaluperuma, will have to decide first whether to accept Jayasuriya's resignation and then who should take over.

"The selectors will have to make the decision as to whether to accept his resignation," confirmed Tennekoon.

However, Jayasuriya made it abundantly clear during the recent Sharjah Cup that he now wants to continue only as a player.

"I was asked to continue for Sharjah but after this they will have to find someone else to do the job," he said. "I have made my decision and I will continue as a player."

Explaining his decision, he said: "After the World Cup I thought the time had come to groom someone for the 2007 World Cup."

The 33-year-old all-rounder believes Marvan Atapattu, the current vice-captain, is his natural successor: "My personal thinking is that Marvan should take over - he has a lot of experience and has been vice-captain for some time now."