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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a couple of key appointments to its National High Performance Center on Thursday, strengthening its coaching structure across departments.
SLC confirmed the appointment of Ryan van Niekerk as the National Bowling Coach. The former Netherlands international setup coach, who served as both bowling coach and interim head coach from 2023 to 2026, will oversee the development of fast bowling across all national teams, including the senior men's side. Van Niekerk played an integral role in the Netherlands' participation in major ICC events, including the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 and multiple T20 World Cups during his tenure. He will begin his two-year stint with Sri Lanka Cricket on April 15, 2026. SLC has also appointed Jordan Gregory as the National Fielding and Spin Bowling Coach. Gregory, who previously worked as a fielding consultant with the Netherlands Cricket, will be responsible for enhancing fielding standards and spin bowling performance across all national squads. He also brings experience from global tournaments, including the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2023. Like van Niekerk, Gregory will assume duties from April 15 on a two-year contract. These appointments come shortly after Sri Lanka named Gary Kirsten as the head coach of the national men's team. The former South African opener has an illustrious coaching resume, having guided India to their 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup triumph and later leading South Africa to the top of the ICC rankings across formats in 2013. He most recently worked as a consultant with Namibia during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The appointment of Kirsten came after the resignation of former head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, who stepped down after Sri Lanka's poor performance at the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where the Lankan Lions failed to enter the semi-finals. (ANI)
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