Sri Lanka Cricket appoint new bowling and fielding coaches for a two-year period

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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has taken a decisive step towards rebuilding its national setup by appointing Ryan van Niekerk as National Bowling Coach and Jordan Gregory as National Fielding and Spin Bowling Coach. Both have signed two-year contracts, marking the beginning of a fresh phase for the team after a challenging period.

The duo will officially start their roles on April 15, 2026, and will operate from the National High Performance Centre. Their responsibilities will extend beyond just the senior men’s side, as they will oversee the development of players across all national teams. This broader focus signals SLC’s intent to strengthen its talent pipeline while also addressing immediate performance concerns.

These appointments are not isolated decisions but part of a larger strategy to reshape Sri Lanka’s cricketing structure. By investing in specialized coaching roles, the board aims to bring consistency, discipline, and modern techniques into the system—areas where the team has struggled in recent years.

Ryan van Niekerk arrives with solid international experience, having worked with the Netherlands national team between 2023 and 2026. During his time there, he served both as bowling coach and interim head coach, playing a key role in guiding the side through multiple ICC events, including the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026.

In Sri Lanka, his primary focus will be on improving the country’s fast-bowling resources. Once known for producing world-class pacers, Sri Lanka has struggled with consistency in this department in recent years. Van Niekerk’s task will be to develop pace options across formats while ensuring bowlers are better prepared for international demands.

Alongside him, Jordan Gregory will take charge of fielding and spin bowling – two areas that have historically been strengths for Sri Lanka but have seen a noticeable decline. Gregory has previously worked with Netherlands Cricket as a fielding consultant and has experience in major tournaments, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2023. His role will involve raising fielding standards and sharpening spin bowling skills, especially at the grassroots and development levels.

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These changes come soon after the appointment of Gary Kirsten as head coach of the national men’s team. Kirsten, known for guiding India to their 2011 World Cup win and later taking South Africa to the top of ICC rankings, brings credibility and experience to the setup. Together, this new coaching group represents a well-rounded effort to bring stability and direction back to Sri Lankan cricket.

The overhaul follows a disappointing run of results that exposed several weaknesses in the team. Sri Lanka’s campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which they co-hosted, ended in disappointment with four straight losses and an early exit. This was compounded by underwhelming performances in the 2025 Asia Cup and a tri-series in Pakistan, making it clear that change was necessary.

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