Confusion as Rixon linked with Sri Lanka vacancy

Steve Rixon: on an all-Australian shortlist © Getty Images

Confusion surrounds the vacancy for Sri Lanka coach after Steve Rixon was linked with the role by a board official who said he would be interviewed next week.

Rixon, who has coached Surrey and New South Wales, joins two other Australians - Queensland coach Terry Oliver and New South Wales's Trevor Bayliss - on the Sri Lankan board's shortlist. It is understood that 44-year-old Oliver has already been interviewed.

"We have shortlisted three candidates including Steve Rixon and we are very hopeful we will have the right candidate with the required credentials to take on the job," K. Madivanan, secretary of the Sri Lankan interim committee, told the Press Association. "We are hopeful we will be able to finalise everything before the end of the month as it is important to have everything place soon."

But Rixon, who turned down the Pakistan coaching job, said earlier this week that he was not inclined to take on any international assignments. "I am grateful that they [Pakistan] did make contact but at this point in time I have decided to coach private schools in Australia."

Trevor Penney will take charge of the Sri Lankan side for the upcoming series against Bangladesh.