Gary Kirsten appointed as Namibia consultant ahead of T20 WC and will be one of the three hosts of the 2027 WC.
Gary Kirsten has taken on an advisory role with Namibia’s men’s national sides and will collaborate with head coach Craig Williams as the team prepares for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
“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,” Kirsten said in a Cricket Namibia statement. “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.”
Namibia, one of the fastest-rising sides in men’s T20 cricket, continue to build momentum on and off the field. They have qualified for each of the last three T20 World Cups — in 2021, 2022 and 2024 — and are firmly in contention for the 2026 edition as well.
Their preparations have been further boosted by the appointment of former South Africa and India head coach Gary Kirsten as a consultant for the men’s national teams. Kirsten will work closely with Craig Williams, the former Namibia international who is currently the head coach, as part of a long-term plan towards the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February–March 2026.
Adding to the significance of that tournament, Namibia will be one of the three host nations for the 2026 World Cup, alongside South Africa and Zimbabwe — a historic milestone for the country’s cricketing journey.
“Kirsten’s appointment as consultant reflects Cricket Namibia’s commitment to strengthening its high-performance environment and supporting the existing coaching structure,” a statement from the board said. “His blend of international playing experience, coaching success, and passion for player development brings valuable insight and added depth to the Eagles [men’s national team] setup.”