“I can’t wait to get there and make a big contribution to the direction of Dutch Cricket”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Australia and Hong Kong international Ryan Campbell has been appointed as the head coach of the Netherlands.
Campbell, who will replace Chris Adams in April, played two ODIs for Australia before coming to Hong Kong to become the head coach and cricket operations manager of the Kowloon Cricket Club.
He was also appointed as Hong Kong’s batting coach in 2013 and even played for them in the 2016 World Twenty20 in India, where he became the oldest player to feature in the tournament at the age of 44.
Campbell admitted that he was gutted to have to leave his position at Kowloon Cricket Club, but added that he was looking forward to taking charge of the Netherlands.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to leave my beloved KCC after four-and-a-half years,” he said. “I will always look back at my time here with great fondness and will always regard it as my second home. When I look back, I see that it is not just the memories of fantastic success and winning Junior and Senior trophies but of the lifelong friendships and the beautiful people I have been lucky enough to meet.
“I hope that I have made a small contribution to the club and its players and I leave happy with the knowledge that KCC is the powerhouse of Hong Kong Cricket. I hope that before I leave I will get the chance to personally thank everyone and I wish you and the club every success in the future.”
Speaking about his new job, Campbell said: “I am honoured to be offered the head coach position with Netherlands cricket, a team that has risen to great heights on the world stage and has a rich tradition in the game. They have many talented players and I hope my experience can help bring on the youngsters, whilst also helping out our experienced leaders.
“With my wife and son holding Dutch passports, I have always held the Netherlands close to my heart and I can’t wait to get there and make a big contribution to the direction of Dutch Cricket.”