Sri Lanka short-list Woolmer, Rixon and Bracewell

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has short-listed three candidates as they seek a replacement for current national team coach Dav Whatmore whose contract will not be renewed.

Former Australian wicket-keeper Steve Rixon, New Zealand all-rounder John Bracewell and England batsman Bob Woolmer have all been approached, according to board sources.

Whatmore's contract expires at the end of May but the forthcoming four-nation Sharjah Cup will be his last series in charge and the Cricket Board are anxious to fill a vacancy as soon as possible.

New Zealand arrive in Sri Lanka for a two-Test tour on April 16 and with the first Test on April 25 an interim coach may have to be hired for the series.

Rixon, 49, coached New Zealand successfully from late 1996 to 1999 after which he returned to Sydney for a second stint as New South Wales coach.

Bracewell, 44, has been a successful title-winning coach with English county Gloucestershire, guiding them to five trophies in two seasons.

Woolmer has outstanding credentials having had highly successful assignments with Warwickshire, the English county, and South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

He had been tipped to take over from Roger Harper as West Indies coach but the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) have now sought the services of Bennett King, head coach of the Australian Academy.