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Netherlands have appointed Gary Kirsten and Dan Christian to the cricket team's coaching staff on short-term deals ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia starting on October 16.
The Dutch team's current head coach Ryan Cook has worked with Kirsten in his academy in Cape Town, South Africa, and the academy also hosted the squad for a training camp in late September ahead of the tournament. Meanwhile, former Australian Christian joined up with the team in Adelaide after their recent arrival in Australia.
Kirsten coached India at the T20 World Cup in 2009 and 2010 with India, and in 2012 with South Africa - but his sides have never progressed as far as the semi-finals. His biggest shot to fame, however, was leading India to the ODI World Cup title in 2011.
More recently, was the batting coach of Gujarat Titans, who won IPL 2022.
"I really enjoyed working with the Dutch team in Cape Town and I look forward to joining them as a consultant in the T20 World Cup," Kirsten said.
"I was impressed with the level of skill and professionalism during the camp. They will be ready and determined to make a big impact at the T20 World Cup."
Christian was part of Australia's squads for 2010, 2012 and 2014 T20 World Cups and was a travelling reserve when they won the 2021 edition in the UAE. He has extensive knowledge of the conditions at each venue, being the most-capped player in Big Bash history.
Netherlands played their first warm-up match on Monday, losing to Scotland by 18 runs, and will play West Indies in Melbourne on Wednesday before travelling to Geelong for their first-round fixtures against UAE, Namibia and Sri Lanka.
They have named an experienced squad for the tournament, with county stalwarts Colin Ackermann and Roelof van der Merwe returning to the national set-up after long absences.
