Nic Pothas named Sri Lanka fielding coach

Former South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Nic Pothas has been appointed Sri Lanka's fielding coach, and will begin the role on August 8, a board release said. Pothas had most recently been the academy director at Leicestershire County, and was the cricket director at Guernsey in the past.

"Our last few outings are showing a marked improvement in the batting and bowling, however our fielding has been letting us down," SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala said. "Pothas joining the support team already in place will give the necessary boost to this important area.

"We always believe in engaging the best professional advice and technical support for our national team, and this appointment is one such positive step."

Pothas is the Sumathipala administration's third high-profile appointment to the coaching system, to follow head coach Graham Ford and high-performance manager Simon Willis. Both Pothas and SLC thanked Leicesershire county for releasing him from his county contract.

"I will forever be grateful to Leicestershire County Cricket Club for the opportunity to join at an exciting time," Pothas said. "But the opportunity to be involved in the game at the highest level is not one that I could pass up."

A long-time Hampshire player, Pothas scored over 11,000 runs and effected 659 dismissals in 218 first-class games. He also played three ODIs for South Africa in 2000.