Graham Ford calls for patience with young Sri Lanka team

Published Feb. 2, 2016 6:25 a.m. ET

foxsports

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford says he is aware of the enormous challenge in taking the national cricket team from a rebuilding stage to greatness.

Ford spoke Tuesday, a day after taking over as coach for a second stint after an interval of two years.

Sri Lanka has faced a series of defeats in the past year since the retirement of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. The team lost series to Pakistan and India while Sangakkara was still playing. Sri Lanka also lost to New Zealand while winning against a low-ranked West Indies.

Ford previously coached Sri Lanka for two years from 2012.