Ford new Sri Lanka coach

Sri Lanka Cricket has sacked its Australian coach Geoff Marsh and replaced him with South African Graham Ford.

Ford, 51, will replace Marsh, who was sacked from the post on Wednesday, just over four months after he signed a two-year deal.

Marsh's departure followed the resignation of former captain Tillakaratne Dilshan, who quit his leadership position in all three formats of the game on Monday.

"The executive committee of Sri Lanka Cricket takes this opportunity to wish the newly appointed coach Graham Ford the best of luck during their tenure with the national team," the governing body said in a statement.

"They also convey their gratitude to Geoff Marsh the outgoing national coach."

The announcement was no surprise after Ford quit his position as head coach of Durban-based cricket side the Dolphins last week.

Ford coached the South African national team from 1999 until 2001 before stints with Kent and Dolphins followed.

He rejected an offer to coach India in 2007 but has finally re-emerged on the international stage again.

Ford will be Sri Lanka's fifth coach in less than a year since their ICC World Cup final defeat to India in April 2011.

Trevor Bayliss stepped down following the tournament, to be replaced initially by assistant Stuart Law.

Rumesh Ratnayake stepped in for a home series against Australia in August and September, before Marsh was appointed on a two-year contract in September.