Sri Lanka coach urged to stay on by Jayasuriya

Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya hopes that coach Dav Whatmore will consider extending his contract which expires at the end of May.

Whatmore, who was appointed in 1999 for a second stint in charge, has confirmed that he will discuss his future with the Sri Lanka Cricket Board shortly.

There had been speculation that cricket officials had approached several alternative coaches, including former South Africa coach Bob Woolmer, former South Africa captain Keppler Wessels and former New Zealand coach Steve Rixon.

However, Jayasuriya wants Whatmore to stay in charge as Sri Lanka look forward to a tough year ahead with Test series against New Zealand, West Indies and England.

"Dav has been very good for the boys," said Jayasuriya. "We won the 1996 finals with him and have done well again since he came back in 1999."

"He has been doing a good job and has been there for a long time."

Whatmore, who is yet to publicly confirm a willingness to extend his contract, hopes to have discussions with the Cricket Board after he returns from South Africa on Friday morning.

"I am contracted until the end of May and any decision regarding my personal future will be made with the cricket board after the tournament," he said.

"There are still some challenges there but it is a case of communications and dialogue after this tournament."