South African cricket coach Mickey Arthur is likely to be appointed as Sri Lanka’s next head coach, as he will reportedly replace the former fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake who is currently serving as their interim coach, after Pakistan Test tour in December.

While Chandika Hathurusingha hasn’t been removed from the post by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) yet, the reports have suggested that Arthur will take over the head coach post by next year.

It is also being said Arthur, former Pakistan head coach, would join the Islanders as a consultant for their upcoming Pakistan Test tour in December with Ratnayake will be the head coach.

Read Also: Sri Lanka set to tour Pakistan in December for two Tests

Arthur is yet to finalise a contract with Sri Lankan board, but the SLC CEO Ashley de Silva was confident that he will take up the role before team’s Pakistan Test series, starting on December 11.

As per reports in ESPN Cricinfo, de Silva said: “We are having discussions with Mickey. We think we will be able to reach an agreement.”

However, Arthur has great coaching experience having previously worked with the South Africa, Australia, and Pakistan teams in the past, but the SLC was highly impressed with Champions Trophy winning coach’s tenure with Men in Green between 2016 and 2019.

The SLC official added, “He had won the 2017 Champions Trophy with Pakistan, and had also taken Pakistan to the No. 1 spot in T20s. He's a well-known coach and he's been around for a while.”

Noteworthy, SLC haven’t yet finalized the roles for bowling and batting coach, but they almost inked a deal with the Australia’s Shane McDermott as their new fielding coach.

(With ESPN Cricinfo Inputs)