Surrey head coach Graham Ford leaves Surrey to return to Sri Lanka
Friday 29 January 2016 07:42, UK
Surrey head coach Graham Ford is leaving the Kia Oval to return to his former role with Sri Lanka.
Ford coached the country for a two-year spell from January 2012 before joining Surrey.
He helped guide the county back to the First Division of the County Championship and they reached the final of the Royal London One Day Cup the following season.
The 55-year-old has previously coached his native South Africa and also had a spell as Kent's director of cricket.
"We are extremely disappointed to be losing Graham Ford who has not just been an outstanding head coach but has played an integral role in the progress that we have achieved over the last two years," director of cricket Alec Stewart told Surrey's official website.
"He has worked tirelessly with the players and his efforts can be seen in their individual performances and the team's results, culminating in promotion back to the First Division.
"It was a very tough decision for Graham to leave Surrey but we understand that the opportunity to go back and coach at International level with Sri Lanka was too good to turn down.
"Despite the timing of his decision, we wish Graham all the best and we will immediately start our search for a new head coach."
