Colombo: Former Australian wicket-keeper Steve Rixon is among three candidates in the fray to succeed Dav Whatmore as Sri Lanka's coach, a top official said on Thursday. Sri Lankan Cricket Board chief executive Anura Tennakoon said former New Zealand off spinner John Bracewell and South African Graham Ford were also in contention. "We are talking to all three of them and a decision will be made by the end of this month," said Tennakoon. He said the board had already informed Whatmore, a Sri Lanka- born Australian, that his contract would not be renewed. The contract ends in May. Sri Lanka's most memorable moment under Whatmore came in 1996 when Arjuna Ranatunga's team won the World Cup. Whatmore was replaced with former Test batsman Roy Dias for a brief period before being recalled following Sri Lanka's dismal performance in the 1999 World Cup in England. Sri Lanka qualified for the World Cup semi-finals in South Africa last month under Whatmore's second stint as coach. Whatmore, however, is expected to stay as coach for Sri Lanka's home Test series against New Zealand this month and a subsequent triangular One-day series, also featuring Pakistan. Copyright AFP 2001

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Tags: cricket, australian wicket-keeper steve rixon, sri lanka's coach dav whatmore, sri lankan cricket board chief executive anura tennakoon, new zealand off spinner john bracewell, south african graham fo.