Farbrace starts his new role next month

Sri Lanka's assistant coach Paul Farbrace is to quit his post and return to Canterbury to take up the role of head coach of Kent.

Farbrace, 41, left his job as coach and head of the academy with Kent two years ago, but he says he could not refuse the opportunity to return.

"This offer from Kent is too good to miss," he said.

"I will be taking a lot of fond memories with me being part of one of the finest cricket teams in the world."

He will return to Kent when his contract with Sri Lanka expires on 20 August.

Farbrace added: "I've enjoyed watching Murali [Muttiah Muralitharan] break the world test bowling record, Sri Lanka winning the Asia Cup in Pakistan and qualifying for the ICC World Twenty20 final in England."

The former Middlesex wicketkeeper never had the chance to represent England during his playing days and, speaking earlier this year, he told BBC Radio Kent he never dreamt he would be involved at the highest level of the sport.

He said: "To be talking to some legends of the game about how they should be bowling at the likes of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and people like that, it's a dream job."

Kent's current director of cricket, Graham Ford, has left the county due to family reasons, and will join South African franchise the Dolphins as coach at the end of the English season.

Kent chairman of cricket Graham Johnson said: "We are naturally sorry that Graham cannot continue with the Club next season, but are delighted that Paul Farbrace has agreed to come back to Kent.

"The changes we are making sustain the quality of our coaching team, respond to personal circumstances, reflect the changing domestic cricket environment and play to individual strengths."

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