Ford named new Sri Lanka cricket team coach

Colombo, Jan.26 (ANI): Sri Lanka Cricket has sacked Australian coach Geoff Marsh and replaced him with South African Graham Ford as part of a major shake-up following the national team's poor run against Australia and South Africa.

Marsh's sacking came after Tillakaratne Dilshan quit his captaincy on Monday and former skipper Mahela Jayawardene was brought in to lead the team for the upcoming triangular one-day series with India and Australia Down Under.

"The executive committee of Sri Lanka Cricket takes this opportunity to wish... the newly appointed coach Graham Ford the best of luck during his tenure with the national team," Sports24 quoted a statement, as saying.

"They also convey their gratitude to Geoff Marsh the outgoing national coach," the statement said.

There was no immediate comment from Marsh or Ford.

Ford, 51, is the fourth coach since Australian Trevor Bayliss stepped aside after the World Cup final in April 2011.

Bayliss's assistant Stuart Law took over for the England series and quit to coach Bangladesh.

Sri Lankan pace bowler Rumesh Ratnayake took over for the home series against Australia and was replaced by Marsh. (ANI)