Want every player in the country to feel they have a real chance of playing for USA: Dassanayake

USA Cricket Appoints Pubudu Dassanayake as Head Coach

Former Sri Lanka Wicketkeeper to Lead USA Men's Team

Pubudu Dassanayake, a 54-year-old former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper, has been appointed as the head coach of the USA men's cricket team. This marks his second stint as the men's team head coach, following his previous tenure from 2016 to 2019.

Dassanayake's Experience and Qualifications

Dassanayake boasts an impressive CV as an associate coach, having previously coached teams like Canada and Nepal. His latest assignment with Canada saw him take charge of the national team from July 2022 until the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in July 2024.

USA Cricket's Goals and Expectations

The CEO of USA Cricket, Johnathan Atkeison, expressed the organization's goals and expectations from Dassanayake's appointment. "We need to be able to have someone that can hit the ground running, and someone that we believe could be successful immediately and in the future as the team continues to grow."

Dassanayake's Vision for USA Cricket

Dassanayake emphasized the importance of establishing a transparent cricketing ecosystem, where performance and work ethic are the sole criteria for selection. He expressed his excitement to tap into the reservoir of talent across the US and channel the best available players into the national setup.

Building a Competitive Team

Dassanayake aims to build an environment in the system where performance is the only thing that matters to be in the team. He wants to see a diverse range of talents, including fast bowlers, unorthodox spinners, and promising homegrown players.

Reforming Selection Pathways

Dassanayake echoed the sentiments of critics, advocating for a more inclusive approach to identifying emerging talent. He wants every player in the country to feel that they have a real chance of playing for the national team.

USA Cricket's Commitment to Reform

The USA Cricket CEO echoed a similar openness to reform, emphasizing a more comprehensive approach to nurturing high-performance talent. The organization recognizes that players come through a variety of developmental pathways and is open to exploring all of them.