Ananova:

Surrey have appointed Australian Steve Rixon as their new cricket manager on a two-year contract.

Rixon, formerly coach of New Zealand and currently in charge of New South Wales, will take over at the Brit Oval at the start of April after his current commitments have run their course.

The former Australian wicketkeeper replaces Keith Medlycott, who left Surrey at the end of November.

Surrey, who won the county championship three times between 1999 and 2002, formulated a short-list of five candidates - including Alan Butcher, father of England batsman Mark, and another Englishman Richard Pybus, little-known in this country but with three stints as Pakistan coach behind him.

However, Rixon has been chosen to form a new axis with Jonathan Batty - successor to Adam Hollioake as captain.

"Having been offered roles in English cricket before, I feel this is the deal and challenge that has excited me the most," said Rixon.

"It means working for what I see as the premier county.

"I have been very impressed with what I have seen of the club so far. It is clearly a squad of high-quality players who I am looking forward to working with.

"I believe we will continue to build on the winning ways of the past few years."

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