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.
READ MORE ON THE HUNDRED
The Hundred, by Disgruntled of Yorkshire
Inside The Hundred: How ‘London X’ somehow got binned
LISTEN: Cricket Badger Podcast: Fans’ Forum on The Hundred
The Hundred can be brilliant because cricket is brilliant; just stop f***ing it up
Latest
-
AustraliaAustralia doctor responds to Steve Smith concussion controversy
“The reality is at the time [Saturday] he didn’t have a concussion.”
-
NewsAustralia PM slams English crowds for booing Steve Smith
Mixing politics with sport rarely ends well.
-
NewsEngland name unchanged squad for third Test at Headingley
James Anderson will play for Lancs second XI as his rehabilitation steps up.
-
NewsTim Paine singles out one player for special praise, Smith injury update
Smith underwent a “precautionary scan” of his neck that thankfully had not revealed any structural damage.
-
NewsJoe Root buoyant after Archer-inspired England resurgence
“I think it was important that we bounced back strongly after Edgbaston and I think we’ve certainly done that.”
-
Dave TicknerArcher’s thrilling debut changes everything and nothing
Jofra Archer has changed the mood if not the scoreline.
-
Australia
Labuschagne replaces concussed Smith in Aussie team
Steve Smith out, Marnus Labuschagne in.
-
EnglandChris Woakes delivers verdict on England’s chances; Archer v Smith
Woakes enjoyed Archer v Smith just as much as the rest of us.
-
The 2019 AshesHow Australia v England became Steve Smith v Jofra Archer
The marquee might read England v Australia, but we all know it’s Steve Smith v Jofra Archer
-
News
WATCH: Steve Smith floored after vicious Archer bouncer
Thankfully, Smith appears to have suffered no lasting damage.