COLOMBO, April 11: Sri Lanka skipper Sanath Jayasuriya handed a letter of resignation to the cricket board on Friday, after telling media at the Sharjah Cup earlier this week that he wanted to step down.

The 33-year-old all-rounder had offered his resignation after Sri Lanka lost to Australia in the World Cup semifinal in March, but he was persuaded to stay on for Sharjah.

“We received a letter this morning. The process is that the selectors will decide whether they are accepting it, and then who should replace him,” said Anura Tennekoon, chief executive of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka.

Tennekoon said a decision on the captaincy would be made in the next few days.

“I tendered my resignation this morning to the cricket board with a copy to the sports minister,” Jayasuriya said.

Jayasuriya, who took over from Arjuna Ranatunga, captained the country in 38 Tests, winning 18. He led the team at 119 One-day Internationals and won 67 of them.

The new national selection panel is expected to name Jayasuriya’s successor next week prior to the arrival of the New Zealand tourists.

Opening batsman Marvan Atapattu, the current vice-captain, appears to be the leading contender to succeed Jayasuriya, cricket sources said.

Meanwhile, the cricket board also said on Friday that former Test off-spinner Lalith Kaluperuma had been appointed head of the national selectors, replacing Guy de Alwis, who resigned in protest against the ministry’s interference in the selection process.

The other three members of the committee are ace batsman Aravinda de Silva, who retired after the World Cup, and former Test players Ashley de Silva and Roger Wijesuriya.

Jayasuriya’s resignation would continue a turbulent time for Sri Lanka who failed to reach the final of the Sharjah Cup. Coach Dav Whatmore was sacked on March 31.—Reuters/AFP