Former Proteas and India coach Gary Kirsten has been appointed as the new head coach of the Sri Lankan national cricket team. Kirsten, who scored over 14,000 runs for the Proteas as a top-order batter, takes over from Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya.
The former Sri Lankan captain resigned after the co-hosts failed to reach the semi-finals of the recent ICC T20 World Cup. Kirsten has been handed a two-year contract, with Jayasuriya taking over as Head of High Performance.
Gary Kirsten’s Coaching Experience
Kirsten’s most recent appointment was as a consultant with the Namibian team at the T20 World Cup. However, his most successful coaching stints were with India, whom he led to the 2011 World Cup title on home soil, and also taking his native Proteas to the No 1 ranking on the ICC Test table.
As noted on the Wikipedia page of Gary Kirsten, his coaching career has been marked by significant successes. Kirsten’s appointment as Sri Lanka’s head coach is also in line with the next ODI World Cup set to be held in South Africa next year, with the Capetonian’s knowledge of local conditions set to be considerably valuable.
What This Means for Sri Lankan Cricket
The appointment of Kirsten as head coach is expected to bring a new level of expertise and experience to the Sri Lankan team. With his proven track record of success, Kirsten is well-placed to help the team improve their performance and compete at the highest level.
Some of the key benefits of Kirsten’s appointment include:
- His experience in coaching international teams, including India and the Proteas
- His knowledge of local conditions in South Africa, which will be hosting the next ODI World Cup
- His ability to bring a new level of expertise and experience to the Sri Lankan team
Overall, the appointment of Gary Kirsten as head coach of the Sri Lankan national cricket team is a significant development for the sport in the country. With his experience and expertise, Kirsten is well-placed to help the team achieve success and compete at the highest level.
