South African cricket coach Mickey Arthur has been released by the New Zealand side Central Districts from his short-term Twenty20 contract on Thursday, November 28, 2019, to allow him to take another assignment with Sri Lanka.

According to reports, Arthur is expected to be appointed as Sri Lanka cricket team’s next head coach, replacing Chandika Hathurusingha, as the Lankan board could lock the deal at any time.

Arthur is one of the most experienced coaches in the world having coached the South Africa team from 2005 to 2010, Australia from 2010-13 and Pakistan from 2016-19. During his tenure, the coach guided Pakistan to their maiden Champions Trophy title back in 2017.

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Meanwhile, Central Stags took to Twitter to announce that Arthur was granted contract release while CD chief executive Pete de Wet expressed disappointment over letting great cricket coach go.

De Wet confirmed in a statement on Thursday, “Mickey is a great cricket coach and a top guy, and I wish him well in his next assignment. We are obviously disappointed that Mickey requested a release from his contract as he would have brought his extensive experience and energy to our campaign, something that we were really looking forward to.”

In November, Central Stags had announced the appointment of Arthur for the upcoming Super Smash league (SSL) starting on December 13 in a bid to defend their title this season.

(With Reuters Inputs)