COLOMBO, May 24: Outgoing Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody's sidekick is taking charge of the national team until a formal appointment is made, a senior Sri Lanka Cricket source said on Thursday.

Trevor Penney, who played for English county side Warwickshire for 17 seasons, joined Moody in late 2005 as fielding coach. He was England's fielding coach in the 2005 Ashes series.

“Trevor's contract runs until the end of August so he will be in charge alongside Rumesh Ratnayake (a former Sri Lankan fast bowler),” the source, who did not want to be named, said.

Sri Lanka Cricket, at its executive committee meeting on Wednesday, shortlisted four possible contenders to replace Moody, who is leaving to take over coaching duties at Western Australia after completing his two-year contract with the Sri Lankans. Penney is not on the shortlist.—AFP