Gary Kirsten appointed coach of Cardiff-based men’s side for The Hundred
Kirsten oversaw India’s 2011 World Cup win while he led them and South Africa to the top of the Test rankings.
Former India and South Africa coach Gary Kirsten will take charge of the men’s Cardiff-based side for the inaugural edition of The Hundred next year.
Kirsten, whose international career as a batsman comprised of 101 Tests and 185 one-day internationals for the Proteas, oversaw India’s 2011 World Cup win while he led them and South Africa to the top of the Test rankings.
The 51-year-old has been at the helm of franchises in the Indian Premier League and Australia’s Big Bash League while he will combine his role in the Welsh capital with coaching Twenty20 outfit Durban Heat.
Australia Women’s coach Matthew Mott will take the reins of the women’s franchise, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced.
Kirsten said: “To be involved in English and Welsh cricket from a coaching perspective is something that I have never done. It’s great to be given that opportunity and to come to Cardiff.
“This is a new format that I am sure will grow and grow. The real win is that it will grab the attention of families and expose the game of cricket to as many environments and communities as possible.”
Before his appointment at Durban came to light, Kirsten’s vast experience had seen him touted as a contender to replace outgoing England coach Trevor Bayliss.
![Matthew Mott will continue as Australia Women's coach (Simon Galloway/PA)](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/5c76b99c9e3048973803488752845188Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNTY1Njk2NTUy/2.44169742.jpg?w=640)
Kirsten is the fourth men’s head coach to be unveiled for England’s new domestic eight-team competition – and the first non-Australian, with Simon Katich taking over in Manchester, Andrew McDonald in Birmingham and Shane Warne at Lord’s.
Mott, meanwhile, will continue in his position with Australia, who he guided to World Twenty20 glory last year, while they recently retained the Ashes under his supervision.
Mott, who spent three seasons as Glamorgan coach, leading them to the 2013 Yorkshire Bank 40 final, said: “Cardiff is a special place for me and my family and that was a big part in my decision to return.
“I’ve got no doubt The Hundred will be a success for the women’s game. The Hundred will provide that sort of platform in England and Wales and I can’t speak highly enough of what that can mean for the game.”