CHRIS SILVERWOOD

was yesterday named as Sri Lanka’s new head coach, just two months after he was sacked by England following their humiliating 4-0 Ashes defeat. The 47-year-old has returned to the international fold by signing a two-year contract and starts with a tour of Bangladesh in May.

Sri Lanka had been in the market for their eighth head coach appointment in 10 years since South African Mickey Arthur left to become Derbyshire’s head of cricket last December. It is

understood they were keen for Englishman Paul Farbrace to return to the role he held briefly in 2014 but it did not happen.