Steve Rixon Appointed as Sri Lanka's Fielding Coach
Updated - 08 Dec 2018, 03:33 PM
Steve Rixon has been appointed as the fielding coach of Sri Lanka until the end of 2019 World Cup which will take place in England. Rixon will be replacing Manoj Abeywickrema. Manoj had filled in after Nic Pothas stepped down from the role of a fielding consultant in April this year.
Moreover, Steve Rixon will link up with the Sri Lankan squad on December 24 ahead of their second Test against New Zealand at Christchurch.
“We are happy to welcome Steve into the team. I am sure he will be able to help the team moving forward, with his expertise in the area of fielding; which is a vital component of the game” said Ashley De Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket.
Rixon to serve as fielding coach for Sri Lanka cricket
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan cricket team has been going through a tough phase. They recently lost the home series against England by 3-0. Previously, under the leadership of Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka was ruled out from the Asia Cup as they lost two back to back games against Afghanistan and Bangladesh in group stages.
Furthermore, Steve Rixon had stepped down as Pakistan’s fielding coach in June. He had served the nation for two years citing differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board over late payment and lack of professionalism. Previously, he was offered to take charge of been the Sri Lanka’s head coach in 2013. However, he rejected the offer as the remuneration was embarrassing for an international coach.
Steve Rixon will officially take over duties ahead of the Boxing Day Test against the Kiwis. He has signed a contract that will expire at the end of the 2019 World Cup in England. Meanwhile, fielding coach Abeywickrema, meanwhile, will be drafted into the High-Performance Center by Sri Lanka Cricket to work with the Development Squads.
The 64-year-old had played 13 Tests and six ODIs for Australia scoring 394 and 40 runs respectively.
