It is reported that former Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur is likely to be appointed as the next head coach of the Sri Lankan team. Former fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake currently holds the interim coach role and he is set to be replaced by Mickey Arthur.
Mickey Arthur was released from the coaching duties by the Pakistan Cricket Board after the team’s poor performances. Pakistan had failed to make their way into the semifinal of the World Cup and thus Arthur’s job was always in jeopardy. The 51-year old Mickey Arthur had also coached Australia and South Africa in the past.
Arthur is a good choice by Sri Lanka.
Subsequently, Arthur was replaced by Misbah-ul-Haq as the head coach of the Pakistan team. The highest point for Mickey Arthur in his tenure with the Pakistan team came when he took them to glory in the Champions Trophy 2017.
Rumesh Ratnayake was appointed as the interim coach after Chandika Hathurusingha was sacked by Sri Lanka cricket. Chandika Hathurusingha was suspended after the team had faced severe criticism for their mundane performance in the World Cup 2019.
Sri Lanka could only manage to win three matches out of the nine they played and failed to make the cut into the last four in the ODI showpiece. The Island nation then went on to win the T20I series 3-0 against Pakistan. However, Sri Lanka was clean swept by Australia in the T20I series.
Consequently, Sri Lanka is looking to be more consistent with their performances. Sri Lanka has an inexperienced squad and they are currently in the transition period. Thus, Mickey Arthur will look to turn the tables for Sri Lanka if he gets to hold the coaching reins for the Island nation.
If Mickey Arthur gets the head coach role, his first assignment will be against his former team. Sri Lanka will play two Test matches against Pakistan in December. In fact, Test cricket will return to Pakistan after a gap of 10 years.