Sport · Sri Lanka Bureau
Sri Lanka women's cricket coach departs; Ratnayake returns to helm
Australian coach Jamie Siddons has unexpectedly left Sri Lanka, citing personal reasons, leaving the women's cricket team without leadership ahead of scheduled tours. Former head coach Rumesh Ratnayake has been reappointed to take charge of the squad.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Jamie Siddons, who served as head coach of the Sri Lanka women's cricket team, has departed the country without completing his contract term, which was scheduled to run until March 2025. The Australian's sudden departure has prompted cricket authorities to bring back Rumesh Ratnayake, a former coach of the national women's team, to resume his previous role.
Siddons' exit comes at a significant juncture for the women's team, which has two international tours scheduled in the coming months. The timing of his departure has raised concerns about continuity in the team's preparation and coaching strategy during an important period of the cricket calendar.
The reasons cited for Siddons' departure centre on personal matters, though specific details remain limited. Despite his contract extending several months into 2025, the coach's decision to leave immediately necessitated a swift managerial change within the women's cricket programme.
Ratnayake's return to the coaching role is intended to provide stability as the women's team prepares for its upcoming tour commitments. The reappointment signals the cricket board's effort to maintain momentum in the women's programme despite the disruption caused by the sudden change in coaching personnel.