Tissera quits as Sri Lanka manager

Michael Tissera, the manager of the Sri Lankan team, has requested Sri Lanka Cricket not to consider him for any appointments after his contract expires at the end of May. Tissera's last assignment will be Sri Lanka's three-ODI series against Pakistan between May 18 and 22.

"I think two years is enough in one post. Travelling has got a bit hectic and I need to settle down with my family and business," said Tissera, who has also served as a player, national selector and administrator. "Managing a team is not something I have done too often and it was a missing link to my cricket career. I have done that and had a very good run."

Having been part of the team since 2005, Tissera was in a position to outline the changes that shaped the unit that finished runners-up in the 2007 World Cup under Mahela Jayawardene and coach Tom Moody.

"The transformation of the team has been fantastic from what we were in October 2005 when India beat us 6-1. I am proud to be part of this side," said Tissera. "The team's confidence began to grow in Australia where we had a reasonably good tour. It was followed by a brilliant tour of England and a fairly successful one in the West Indies."

Tissera described the team under Jayawardene as "a very confident, dedicated, disciplined and committed side with a real passion for cricket and to play well at the highest level".

"The most significant change I've seen in the team is that nobody's allowed to rest on his laurels because there are always four or five other players competing for places. They are a far more professional outfit. They don't rest on comfort zones. They have kept on improving all the time, have excellent team spirit and as a team gelled well. It was great to be part of this team."

Looking ahead Tissera said that Sri Lanka should continue to be a force in world cricket. "I don't know about the future of some of the cricketers but we have a one-day side that could serve us well for a long time. It is up to the selectors to pick young players to take us into the next World Cup in 2011, although four years is a long way [away] and anything could happen."