Sri Lanka opts for Geoff Marsh as coach

Colombo, Sep.24 (ANI): Former Australian opener and coach Geoff Marsh has been confirmed as coach of Sri Lanka on a two-year contract.

Marsh's appointment strengthens Sri Lanka Cricket's links with Australian coaches, with his three predecessors, Tom Moody, Trevor Bayliss and Stuart Law (interim) all Australian too.

It does, however, go against the wishes of player and former captain Kumar Sangakkara, who has wanted a completely Sri Lankan coaching unit, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Sri Lanka Cricket cited the 52-year-old's "vast coaching and playing experience at the highest level" - he represented Australia 169 times, as an opening batsman - as reasons for his appointment.

Sri Lanka will next month begin a neutral Test and one-day international series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates before playing three Tests and five ODIs in South Africa over the new year.

It will then travel to Australia for an ODI tri-series, also involving India, from early February. (ANI)