Sri Lanka icon and former skipper Mahela Jayawardane has revealed that he twice turned down a chance to join the team’s backroom staff for the upcoming 2019 ICC World Cup campaign.
Jayawardane, who has coached Mumbai Indians to two IPL titles, has stated that he was approached recently by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) as well as the Sri Lankan Sports Minister but declined on both occasions.
The former Sri Lankan skipper has previously expressed his dismay with the SLC after his proposals to revamp the domestic cricket structure were ignored and has vowed not work with the administration in its current form.
“I was invited but I have several other commitments. More than that, I didn’t understand the role I am expected to play,” Jayawardane told the Sunday Times.
Jayawardane has previously served as England’s batting consultant.
“There’s no point in me getting involved tactically, or whatever, if I don’t have a say in the whole structure. The team is selected and everything is done and dusted. There is no room for me to come in and add something.
“I am still happy to contribute in my little way with the management of the team, but nothing to do with the SLC. That’s something I have told myself as well. I just don’t have the appetite to come and work for anybody when I know that it’s not the right place for me.”
A legend of Sri Lankan cricket, Jayawardane has 11,814 and 12,650 runs respectively for his country in the Test and ODI formats. He had previously served as the batting consultant for England for a short period in 2015.