Sanath Jayasuriya likely to continue as Sri Lanka men's head coach for one year

Sanath Jayasuriya's contract as men's head coach is likely to be extended for a year, following his success with the Sri Lanka team over the past few months. The team has beaten India in an ODI series, won a Test at The Oval, and another in Galle against New Zealand since he took over as interim coach in early July.

Sri Lanka Cricket had advertised the permanent head coach position following Chris Silverwood's exit in late June. But with at least two of Sri Lanka's three sides showing signs of improvement under Jayasuriya, SLC has initiated the process to bring Jayasuriya in on a longer term.

"We are in the final stages of negotiating the contract with him," board CEO Ashley de Silva told ESPNcricinfo. "Probably in the next two or three days you will get to hear more."

Jayasuriya had originally been appointed cricket consultant for one year in December last year, a role that would have mostly had him working with the High Performance Centre. But he traveled with the team to this year's T20 World Cup, and subsequently took the head coach role.

Under him, there have also been a T20I series loss against India, plus two Test defeats in England. But the successes have outweighed these. Sri Lanka are now in the hunt for a World Test Championship final place, and Jayasuriya's next contract will take the team past the end of the ongoing cycle.

Feedback from players has also been positive, with Angelo Mathews - the most experienced player in the Test side - having described Jayasuriya taking over the team as a "turning point".

"Sanath Jayasuriya was superb as cricket director and now as coach," he said. "He communicates well and has given us a lot of freedom. We are all working towards one goal, and now everyone is on the same page. He's also done a superb job grooming the players. He has been amazing. I wish him all the very best."

Jayasuriya had previously been chief selector in two different stints in the last decade, but these had largely been defined by modest performances from the men's team. There has been more stability during his ongoing assignment, however.