Former South Africa cricketer Ryan Cook leaves his role as Netherlands head coach, with batting coach Heino Kuhn appointed interim coach as Dutch cricket looks ahead to future challenges.

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Ryan Cook has stepped down as head coach of the Netherlands men’s cricket team, bringing an end to a highly successful four-year stint that played a significant role in the growth of Dutch cricket on and off the field.

The former South African cricketer took charge of the Netherlands in May 2022 and quickly established a strong foundation for success. During his tenure, Cook helped build a competitive squad, strengthen team culture, develop coaching pathways, and contribute to grassroots cricket initiatives across the country.

Acknowledging Cook’s contribution, the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) Chief Executive Huib van Walsem praised his impact on Dutch cricket.

“Ryan Cook has had an enormous impact on the entire system of Dutch cricket, building the depth of players, a strong team culture, coaching development and contributions to grassroots cricket,” van Walsem said. “We are grateful for his wonderful efforts that have brought great results.”

One of Cook’s major achievements was guiding the Netherlands to qualification for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. The Dutch side produced memorable performances during the tournament, including victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Cook also led the Netherlands to qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, marking the country’s first appearance at the 50-over World Cup since 2011. Despite finishing at the bottom of the standings, the Netherlands earned widespread praise after securing impressive wins against South Africa and Bangladesh.

Netherlands captain Scott Edwards paid tribute to Cook’s influence on the team, highlighting the culture and professionalism he brought to the squad.

“Ryan has been instrumental in the growth of this team and Dutch cricket as a whole over the past four years,” Edwards said. “His passion, professionalism and commitment to creating a strong culture have helped us achieve some memorable performances and set this team up for future success.”

Following Cook’s departure, former South Africa wicketkeeper-batter and current Netherlands batting coach Heino Kuhn will take charge of the national side on an interim basis while the search for a permanent replacement begins.

The Netherlands remain in a strong position in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 campaign, currently sitting third in the standings behind USA and Scotland with 32 points from 28 matches.

Cook leaves behind a lasting legacy, having overseen one of the most successful periods in modern Dutch cricket and helping establish a platform for continued growth on the international stage.