XtraTime Web Desk: Sri Lanka Cricket on Thursday appointed Mickey Arthur as the Consultant Head Coach of the senior team. The 51-year-old South African takes over from Rumesh Ratnayake, who served in the role in an interim capacity. The former Pakistan Head Coach will take over ahead of the two-match Test series against Pakistan later this month.
The Sri Lanka job will be Arthur’s fourth high-profile role in international cricket. He has previously coached South Africa (2005-10), Australia (2011-13) and until recently, Pakistan (2014-19). Arthur’s tenure with Pakistan ended earlier this year after the team failed to qualify for the semifinals of the 2019 World Cup. During his tenure, however, Pakistan clinched the 2017 Champions Trophy and ascended to the top of the Test and T20I rankings.
Arthur has been appointed for a period of one year. He will be Sri Lanka’s 11th coach in the last eight years.
Former Zimbabwe cricketer Grant Flower was appointed as the Batting Coach of Sri Lanka and Head Coach of Sri Lanka A team. Flower has earlier worked with the national teams of Zimbabwe and Pakistan in a similar role. Former England bowling coach David Saker has been appointed as the bowling coach of Sri Lanka. Saker, has worked on several international assignments.