27 June 2024 Punjab Khabarnama : Chris Silverwood has stepped down as the head coach of the Sri Lankan men’s team after their disastrous T20 World Cup 2024 campaign in the Caribbean and the United States. Silverwood gave ‘personal reasons’ for his resignation and said that he would want to ‘spend quality time’ with his family and loved ones after his hectic job as the coach.
Back in April 2022, Silverwood took charge of the Sri Lankan team after moving ahead as the head coach of the England men’s team. Under his coaching, they won 8 Tests, 26 ODIs and 18 T20Is. Silverwood decided to step away after Wanindu Hasaranga’s men failed to qualify for the Super 8 in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
‘Real honour for me’
“Being an international coach means long periods away from loved ones. After lengthy conversations with my family and with a heavy heart, I feel it is now time for me to return home and spend some quality time together,” Silverwood said in a statement released by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
“I would like to thank the players, coaches, backroom staff, and management of the SLC for their support during my time in Sri Lanka. Without your support, none of the success would have been possible.”
‘It has been a real honour for me to be part of Sri Lanka Cricket and I will be taking away many fond memories,” Silverwood added.
Sri Lanka, the 2014 champions, did not have the best of times in the World Cup. They started their campaign losing to South Africa after which they lost to Bangladesh as well. Their match against Rohit Paudel’s Nepal was called off due to rain in Florida. Although they defeated the Netherlands, it was all too late for them by then. Last year during the ODI World Cup, Sri Lanka also could not qualify for the Champions Trophy to be held in 2025.