Cricket Namibia is proud to announce the appointment of Gary Kirsten as Consultant for the Namibian National Men’s Cricket Teams. With a rich international playing and coaching career, Kirsten brings world-class experience, proven success, and a deep understanding of high-performance cricket, assets that have the potential to elevate Namibian cricket as it strives for greater achievements on the global stage.
As a player, Kirsten enjoyed a distinguished international career for South Africa from 1993 to 2004, playing in 101 Test matches and 185 One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Over that period, he amassed 7,289 Test runs, including a highest score of 275, one of the finest and most memorable innings in South African cricket history. In ODIs he scored 6,798 runs, establishing himself as a reliable and technically sound opener. Known for his calm temperament, sound technique, and ability to anchor innings under pressure, Kirsten was widely regarded as one of the most dependable players of South Africa’s top order.
After retiring from international cricket, Kirsten remained deeply involved in the game, establishing a cricket academy in Cape Town and taking on coaching and mentorship roles across various levels. His coaching career reached global recognition when he became India’s Head Coach in 2007, guiding the team to the number one Test ranking and leading them to their historic ICC Cricket World Cup victory in 2011.
Kirsten then returned to South Africa, where he coached the national team from 2011 to 2013 and once again steered a side to the top of the ICC Test rankings. His coaching expertise extended into franchise cricket as well, including roles in the Indian Premier League, one of the world’s premier T20 competitions. Most recently, he served as Head Coach of the Pakistan national men’s team in 2024.
Gary Kirsten: “It is indeed a privilege to work with Cricket Namibia. I have been thoroughly impressed with the dedication and determination to create a high-performance cricket environment. Their new state-of-the-art cricket stadium is a testament to their commitment to making sure their national teams are competing with the best cricket countries in the world. Their senior men’s national team is performing well, and I look forward to adding value to their preparation for the T20 World Cup in February next year.”
Kirsten’s appointment as consultant reflects Cricket Namibia’s commitment to strengthening its high-performance environment and supporting the existing coaching structure. He will work closely with the National Men’s Head Coach, Craig Williams, adding further value to the team’s technical direction and overall development. His blend of international playing experience, coaching success, and passion for player development brings valuable insight and added depth to the Eagles setup.
A new chapter begins, supported by world-class experience and a shared belief that the Eagles will continue rising to compete confidently among cricket’s respected nations.
