Mickey Arthur’s coaching role to end after WI series

Sri Lanka head coach Mickey Arthur confirmed he will quit his role after the Sri Lanka two Test match series against the West Indies in November. Arthur will join the county championships side Derbyshire as its Head of Cricket following his final series as in charge of the Sri Lanka cricket team.

“Sad that it is the end of the road with SL after the WI test series, I have loved every minute of coaching this great country. To the players and people of SL a big thank you. I know SL cricket is in a better place now than when I started,” Mickey Arthur said in a social media post yesterday.

Mickey Arthur has been in charge of Sri Lanka cricket team since February 2020. His stint with Sri Lanka was split by the pandemic, during which he remained in Sri Lanka throughout, in order to work with the team when possible. There were mixed results under him, but also a strong focus on youth and regeneration – a tactic that seemed to be bearing fruit over the past few months.

However It’s not clear whether Mickey Arthur resigned or his contract was not renewed as it was due to expire at the end of this year.

Meanwhile the 53-year-old former Australia, South Africa and Pakistan coach Arthur is to leave after almost two years in charge to join Derbyshire as head of cricket. This is a first role in English cricket for South African Arthur, who has also previously held coaching jobs with Eastern Cape and Western Australia.

Arthur said: “This is the start of an exciting project at Derbyshire, with many young players. I’m really excited to be a part of that and to bring my vision to the club.

“It’s a new challenge and one which I’m eager to get stuck into. There’s a good squad at Derbyshire and I want us to play a positive style of cricket. We won’t fear any team.”

Derbyshire are scheduled to start next season in Division Two of the County Championship.