Nic Pothas/Carl Crowe

Leicestershire County Cricket Club has announced that Nic Pothas is to join Sri Lanka as the country’s Lead Fielding Coach.

Pothas has made a big impact in the period that he has been at the club as Academy Director. He has also spent time with the First XI and been involved in coaching the Second XI during the 2016 season.

The 42-year-old, who enjoyed a successful playing career including a long spell in county cricket at Hampshire, will leave his role at the end of this week to link up with Sri Lanka.

Pothas said: “The opportunity to be involved in the game at the highest level is not one that I could pass up. I will be forever grateful to Leicestershire County Cricket Club for the opportunity to join at an exciting time, and the structure at the club means that they will continue to move forward at pace. I’m also thankful to Wasim Khan and Andrew McDonald for being extremely supportive and understanding the decision.

“This year was always going to be a transitional one for the Academy but it is now in a good place to move forward. I’ll always keep an eye on how everything is going at Leicestershire, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of the set-up.”

Leicestershire CCC Chief Executive Wasim Khan MBE said: “We’re disappointed to lose a coach of Nic’s calibre but this is a wonderful opportunity for him and we understand his decision.

“It is not every day that the chance to be part of an international team set-up comes along, so Nic leaves with our blessing and we wish him every success in the future.”

Leicestershire CCC is pleased to welcome back former bowler and England Women’s Assistant Coach Carl Crowe, who has agreed at short notice to take on the temporary role of Second XI Coach in the wake of Pothas’ departure.

Crowe is rejoining until the end of the 2016 season, his first game being the Trophy fixture against Warwickshire at Coventry & North Warwickshire CC on Monday week.

Off-spinner Crowe was part of Leicestershire’s 1998 County Championship winning squad before successfully going into coaching.

His achievements with England Women include being part of two Ashes series wins and the 2013 ICC World Cup. Crowe, an ECB Level Four coach, also had a recent spell with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL after remodelling the action of world ranked number one bowler Sunil Narine.

He said: “I’m looking forward to returning to Leicestershire County Cricket Club for a few weeks and supporting the coaches. It’s a busy period for the club so I’m happy to be able to help.”