Kirsten, Christian join Dutch coaching staff ahead of T20 World cup

Nieuwegein (The Netherlands): Former India coach Gary Kirsten and Australia veteran Dan Christian have been added to the Dutch coaching staff in preparing for the T20 World Cup in Australia starting from October 16.

The Dutch side are drawn in Group A alongside United Arab Emirates, Namibia and Sri Lanka in the First Round of the T20 World Cup and need to finish in the top two places in the group to progress to the Super 12 stage of the event.

"During the preparation phase, both Gary and Dan have been working with the team in South Africa and Australia and will keep working with the team for the duration of the tournament," the Dutch cricket board said in a statement.

The Netherlands will have a pair of familiar faces helping them in their quest, with the addition of Kirsten and Christian to work with head coach Ryan Cook and skipper Scott Edwards.
Kirsten famously led India to success at the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and has since strengthened his coaching credentials with impressive stints with South Africa and at the Gujarat Titans in the IPL.

While Christian doesn't boast the same coaching resume as Kirsten just yet, his playing credentials are very impressive with the 39-year-old having played 23 T20Is and 20 ODIs for Australia and previously won a whopping nine domestic T20 titles over the world.
The Netherlands' first match at the T20 World Cup is against the UAE at Kardinia Park on October 16, before they tackle Namibia (October 18) and Sri Lanka (October 20) later that same week.(UNI)