Former England head coach Chris Silverwood will take charge of Sri Lanka.

The 47-year-old’s first assignment will be the upcoming tour of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement.

“He is an experienced coach and from our discussions … it is clear he has the required qualities we are looking for to take the team forward,” SLC chief Ashley de Silva said.

Silverwood served as England’s head coach from late 2019 till early 2022, stepping down after a disastrous Ashes campaign where his team lost 4-0.

He was England’s bowling coach when the team won the 2019 World Cup.

Former Test player Rumesh Ratnayake was named interim coach in January ahead of tours of Zimbabwe and Australia.

Sri Lanka’s former head coach, Mickey Arthur, resigned in December.

© Agence France-Presse