Former Australia, South Africa and Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur will take over the top role with Sri Lanka.
The South African has been appointed as Sri Lanka’s head coach on a two-year contract, the country’s cricket board (SLC) said on Thursday.
The 51-year-old former first-class cricketer has enjoyed a more illustrious career as a head coach with the national teams of South Africa, Australia and Pakistan.
SLC appointed former fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake as interim coach in August after a fallout with head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, who was criticised for Sri Lanka’s exit at the group stage of the 50-over World Cup in England.
“We are very happy and pleased that we have been able to obtain the services of Mickey,” SLC secretary Mohan Silva told reporters. “He’s a well-known personality who has been the head coach of a number of countries.”
(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
SLC President Shammi Silva said Hathurusingha was no longer on the payroll of the board but did not provide further details.
Arthur was recently released from his short-term Twenty20 contract with New Zealand side Central Districts.
He took charge of a mercurial Pakistan side in 2016 and led them to the 2017 Champions Trophy victory in the 50-over format and the No.1 ranking in the world in both Tests and Twenty20 internationals.
Pakistan, however, decided not to renew Arthur’s contract following the team’s failure to reach the semi-finals of this year’s 50-over World Cup in England.
“It had been three very good years with Pakistan and I needed a little bit of time away. The Sri Lankan job became available and I started discussions,” Arthur said.
“I looked at the talent that’s available and that’s the key motivating factor… to help these young players fulfill their potential.”
In his first assignment as Sri Lanka coach, Arthur will return to Pakistan this month for the two-match Test series, starting from December 11.
Zimbabwean Grant Flower will join his support staff as the batting coach while Australians David Saker and Shane McDermott will be the bowling coach and the fielding coach respectively, the SLC added.
Marty
Roar Rookie
How do we know that? Maybe the whole ‘homework’ issue was about trying to reign the players in a bit, remind they are not a law unto themselves? However the players kicked up, were supported by CA, and a couple of years later we end up with a situation where some of them think they can blatantly cheat and get away with it. Maybe if we’d listened a bit more at the time, instead of arrogantly dismissing contravening views as not being the ‘Australian way’, we might not have ended up where we did?
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
He didn't try and change it into anything positive, although I do think Captain Clarke threw him under a bus with the homework saga nonsense. After he left, Lehmann arrived, talking about runs and wickets at shield level being what players needed to provide for selections. Another myth apparently, thanks to some whims from a certain selection head.
Marty
Roar Rookie
Yeh because the culture really came along in leaps and bounds after he left. Apart from the constant abuse of opposition players and cheating of course. How dare he try and change that!
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Not sure what they mean - more illustrious than what? Michael Cheika’s rugby World Cup campaign? But sounds like he’ll need some luck if they’re going to judge it on wins. Not quite the same top talent around as ten years ago.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Well he did succeed in re-establishing Pakistani cricket and the administration minefield there is even tougher. Good luck, Mickey.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Pakistan could have done with some extra homework ahead of their Australia tour, as it turns out. Unfortunately for them, perhaps, they lost their teacher in August. Seemed like a “homework free” zone in the lead up, based on results.
U
Roar Rookie
Hope the Sri Lankans love homework. Or they’ll be in the time out zone quickly
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Will he set them "homework"?
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
I trust he will endeavour to gain a better understanding of their culture than he did when he was Australian coach? Homework, after staring at your navel,to be handed in individually during an away tour??? Then dropping players for non-submission, when the next test was must win to keep the series alive.
Paul
Roar Guru
"The 51-year-old former first-class cricketer has enjoyed a more illustrious career as a head coach with the national teams of South Africa, Australia and Pakistan." I'm not sure I'd call his tenure as Australian coach "illustrious". I hope he can resurrect Sri Lankan cricket. though he has to work through the political minefield that seems to surround the administration over there.