Pothas quits as Sri Lanka fielding coach

AFP: South African Nic Pothas has ended his coaching contract with Sri Lanka to spend time with his young family, the island nation’s cricket board said Tuesday. 

The 44-year-old joined Sri Lanka in 2016 as fielding coach but was unexpectedly elevated to the top job after Graham Ford’s abrupt exit in June last year. 

Under his stewardship Sri Lanka were thumped in a home series against India and humiliated by cricket minnows Zimbabwe in a one-day international tournament. 

The islanders did however record a 2-0 Test series win over Pakistan last year in the United Arab Emirates. 

Pothas and several other players then refused to travel to Pakistan for the final Twenty20 international of the tour, citing security concerns. 

After six months at the helm he was replaced by former Sri Lanka Test batsman Chandika Hathurusingha, who was named head coach in December. 

He remained as fielding coach and had been expected to stay until August but Sri Lanka Cricket announced that the South African called it a day on Friday. 

“After two incredible years with Sri Lanka cricket, this is the right time for me to move on to other opportunities, which will allow me to spend quality time with my young family,” Pothas said in a statement issued by the cricket board. 

“It has been an honour and a privilege to be involved with Sri Lanka. 

“It has given me the opportunity to learn and improve as a coach as well as to contribute to a very talented bunch of players. It will always hold a special place in my heart. “

SLC begin search for new staff after Pothas’ exit

ESPNCricinfo: Former Pakistan legspinner Mushtaq Ahmed is among those being considered by Sri Lanka Cricket for the position of spin bowling coach. Mushtaq, who has expressed interest in the position, has previously worked with England and Pakistan. The board is also on the hunt for a new fielding coach.

The search for new staff coincides with the exit of Nic Pothas – who was Sri Lanka’s interim head coach for roughly half of 2017 – two months before his contract expires. A Sri Lanka cricket official confirmed that the board had let Pothas go on good terms, and that it would seek to appoint the two new coaches within the next two months.

Pothas’ decision to quit early is understood to have been partially prompted by his disappointment with the scope of his role. Although he had been a contender for Sri Lanka’s permanent head coach position in August last year, when he had been publicly endorsed for that role by Sri Lanka’s cricket manager Asanka Gurusinha, Pothas was not required by the national side after Chandika Hathurusingha – a coach of much greater renown – was hired. Pothas had been working as a general fielding coach since being relieved of the interim position. SLC officials expect him to take up a position in England.

Appointed interim coach following the exit of Graham Ford in June last year, Pothas’ six months at the helm was largely characterised by poor results, substantial upheaval and pressure from SLC administrators, though there was also the historic Test series victory against Pakistan in the UAE last year.