Upon returning home from the 2023 World Cup, Sri Lanka’s consultant coach Mahela Jayawardene stated that the team’s struggles could be attributed to the types of tracks produced for domestic cricket in Sri Lanka. Jayawardene noted that the pitches neither allowed their batters to be in top hitting form heading into the World Cup, nor taught their spinners how to handle conditions that required them to work harder for their wickets. Sri Lanka finished ninth on the points table, meaning they do not qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Jayawardene blamed this on the lack of preparation for flatter pitches in India and the inadequate quality of wickets in Sri Lanka’s domestic games. He also highlighted a lack of spin options and a need for spinners to acquire additional skills necessary for success on different wickets. Jayawardene emphasized the importance of addressing these issues in order to advance Sri Lankan cricket. He urged patience and trust in the team, acknowledging the need for improvement in fielding and fitness levels. Looking forward, Jayawardene stressed the need for more one-day games to be played in the future and the importance of creating an identifiable team culture.
