Ryan Cook steps down as Netherlands men's head coach

Ryan Cook has stepped down as head coach of the Netherlands men's cricket team with immediate effect, as confirmed by the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB). The announcement follows the recent birth of Cook's second child with his partner Emma. Heino Kuhn, the team's batting coach under Cook, will assume the role of interim coach in preparation for their upcoming Cricket World Cup League 2 matches.

In a statement from KNCB, Cook expressed, "Coaching the Dutch men's team has without a shadow of a doubt been one of the highlights of my coaching career so far. It's been an absolute pleasure to lead the journey towards professionalism and creating a competitive cricket team with strong values. I thank all at the KNCB and the Dutch cricket community for all their continued support throughout the years. The KNCB and the team deserve someone who can give the job the full, sustained focus and presence it now requires. I know that the foundations are strong and the future is bright."

Cook took charge of the Netherlands men's team in May 2022 and was pivotal in several achievements. Under his leadership, the Netherlands qualified for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, securing victories over teams like Zimbabwe and South Africa. They also qualified for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, marking their first entry into the tournament since 2011, and notably achieved wins against South Africa and Bangladesh, showcasing their competitive spirit despite finishing last.

KNCB chief executive Huib van Walsem praised Cook's significant contributions, stating, "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. We are grateful for his wonderful efforts that have brought great results."

Scott Edwards, the captain of the Netherlands team, acknowledged Cook's influence: "Ryan has been instrumental in the growth of this team and Dutch cricket as a whole over the past four years. 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. On behalf of the players, I want to thank Ryan for everything he has done for us and wish him and his family all the very best for the future."

Currently, the Netherlands sits in third place behind the USA and Scotland in the CWC League 2 table after 114 matches.