Gary Kirsten named as Hundred head coach of Welsh Fire
Former India and South Africa head coach Gary Kirsten has been appointed to lead the Cardiff-based team in next year’s inaugrual edition of The Hundred.
Kirsten has a wealth of coaching experience, having lead India to World Cup glory in 2011 followed by a successful stint in charge of his native South Africa between 2011-2013.
Under Kirsten’s guidance, both countries also reached number one in the ICC’s official Test rankings.
Jobs in Twenty20 franchise cricket followed, with the South African taking charge of the Hobart Hurricanes and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Big Bash and IPL respectively.
Speaking on the news of his unveiling, Kirsten said: “To be involved in English and Welsh cricket from a coaching perspective is something that I have never done. It’s great to be given that opportunity and to come to Cardiff.
“This is a new format that I am sure will grow and grow. The real win is that it will grab the attention of families and expose the game of cricket to as many environments and communities as possible.”
World Cup winning coaches Gary Kirsten and Matthew Mott join #TheHundredhttps://t.co/UtPNAdEDwD pic.twitter.com/z9GzuDVmKW
— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) August 12, 2019
The 51-year-old competed in 101 Tests and 185 ODIs in a stellar playing career for South Africa between 1993-2004.
He becomes the fourth coach to be announced for the fledgling competition, with fellow overseas recruits Shane Warne (London Spirit), Andrew McDonald (Birmingham Phoenix) and Simon Katich (Manchester Originals) previously announced.
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