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Jamie Siddons Appointed Head Coach of Sri Lanka Women's Cricket Team

Sri Lanka Cricket has appointed former Australian cricketer Jamie Siddons as the new head coach of its national women's team. He replaces Rumesh Ratnayake, whose tenure saw the team win its first Asia Cup title in 2024 but also struggle with inconsistency. Siddons, a veteran first-class player with extensive coaching experience including with the Bangladesh men's team, will begin his one-year term in March 2026. His immediate focus will be preparing the squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England later that year.

Key Points: Jamie Siddons Named Sri Lanka Women's Cricket Head Coach

  • Replaces outgoing coach Rumesh Ratnayake
  • Focus on 2026 T20 World Cup in England
  • Brings extensive coaching experience
  • Team coming off series win vs West Indies
2 min read

Sri Lanka Cricket appoints Jamie Siddons as new head coach of women's team

Former Australian cricketer Jamie Siddons appointed new head coach of Sri Lanka women's team, replacing Rumesh Ratnayake.

"Siddons will assume charge from March 16, 2026, for a one-year term - ICC"

Colombo, March 5

Sri Lanka Cricket on Thursday announced the appointment of former Australian cricketer Jamie Siddons as the new head coach of the national women's cricket team.

Siddons will take over from outgoing coach Rumesh Ratnayake, who had quietly concluded his tenure at the end of 2025.

Appointed in February 2023, Ratnayake played a key role in transforming the Sri Lankan women's cricket team from struggling underdogs into a more competitive side.

Although the team still trails top-tier sides like Australia and India in consistency, his tenure saw historic milestones, including Sri Lanka's first Asia Cup title in 2024, achieved with a memorable victory over India in the final.

However, the team's inconsistency remained evident. At the 2024 T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka exited at the group stage without a single win. Despite notable successes, such as series victories against South Africa and England, the side appeared to plateau after a middling performance in the home 50-over World Cup in October.

According to the ICC, Siddons will assume charge from March 16, 2026, for a one-year term, with his immediate focus on preparing the squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup scheduled in England during June and July.

The 16-year first-class veteran will begin his tenure with the Sri Lanka women's tour of Bangladesh, set for April-May 2026. Siddons, who captained South Australia and Victoria during his domestic career, amassed 10,643 runs in the Sheffield Shield, making him the third-highest run-scorer in Australia's premier domestic competition.

His international experience includes a solitary ODI appearance against Pakistan in October 1988.

A Level 3 qualified coach, Siddons brings extensive coaching experience, having led the Bangladesh men's team between 2007 and 2011, South Australia from 2015 to 2020, and New Zealand's Wellington Firebirds from 2011 to 2015.

The announcement comes shortly after Sri Lanka's women secured a 2-0 victory over the West Indies in a three-match T20I series, highlighting the team's strong momentum ahead of upcoming international fixtures.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Ratnayake did a good job building the team up. Winning an Asia Cup is no small feat. But the board is right to look for a change if they've plateaued. The women's game is growing so fast, you need fresh ideas. Siddons' first-class record is impressive, hope he can translate that into coaching success.
A
Aman W
As an Indian cricket fan, I have to say it's good for the sport when our neighbours are strong. A competitive Sri Lanka makes the Asia Cup and World Cups more exciting. Their win against us in '24 still hurts, but it was great cricket. Hope Siddons can get them challenging the top teams regularly.
S
Sarah B
One-year term seems very short-sighted. How can a coach implement a proper system in just one year, especially with a T20 World Cup right away? Sri Lanka Cricket needs to show more commitment to their women's programme if they want sustained success.
K
Karthik V
His experience with Bangladesh could be key. He understands the subcontinent cricket culture and challenges. The immediate task is the T20 WC in England. Tough group for them, but beating West Indies recently is a positive sign. All the best from India!
N
Nisha Z
More foreign coaches in women's cricket is a good trend. Brings in different perspectives. Hope he focuses on mental strength. The talent is there, but as the article says, consistency is the issue. Losing all matches in a T20 WC group stage after winning the Asia Cup is a classic example.

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