Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has taken a decisive step towards rebuilding its national structure 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 new phase for the team after a challenging period.
Both will officially begin their roles on April 15, 2026 and will work from the National High Performance Centre. His responsibilities will extend beyond just the senior men’s team, as he will oversee the development of players for all national teams. This broader focus signals SLC’s intention to address immediate performance concerns as well as strengthen its talent pipeline.
These appointments are not isolated decisions but part of a larger strategy to reshape Sri Lanka’s cricket structure. By investing in specialized coaching roles, the board aims to bring continuity, discipline and modern techniques to the system – areas in which the team has struggled in recent years.
Experienced coaching duo appointed to revive Sri Lankan cricket
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 as both bowling coach and interim head coach, and played a key role in guiding the team through several ICC events, including the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and 2024 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026.
His primary focus in Sri Lanka will be on improving the country’s fast bowling resources. Sri Lanka, once renowned for producing world-class fast bowlers, has struggled with consistency in this department in recent years. Van Niekerk’s job will be to develop pace options across all formats, as well as ensure the bowlers are better prepared for international demands.
Along with 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 notable decline. Gregory has previously worked with Netherlands Cricket as a fielding consultant and has experience at major tournaments including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2023. His role will include raising fielding standards and sharpening spin bowling skills, especially at the grassroots and development level.
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Ready to work under new coach Gary Kirsten
These changes come immediately after the appointment gary kirsten As head coach of the national men’s team. Kirsten, who is best known for guiding India to the 2011 World Cup win and later taking South Africa to the top of the ICC rankings, brings credibility and experience to the setup. Together, this new coaching group represents a comprehensive effort to bring stability and direction back to Sri Lankan cricket.
The overhaul comes after disappointing results, which exposed many of the team’s weaknesses. Sri Lankan campaign ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026which he co-hosted, ended in disappointment with four consecutive losses and an early exit. This was further compounded by the underwhelming performances in the 2025 Asia Cup and the tri-series in Pakistan, which made it clear that change was necessary.
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