Ryan Cook Resigns as Netherlands Men’s Head Coach Following Family Decision 

Ryan Cook has stepped down as head coach of the Netherlands men’s cricket team, effective immediately. On June 24, 2026 Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) verified the development citing Cook’s choice had come due to private and family reasons.

Cook’s exit comes only weeks after the birth of his second child with partner Emma. The South African-born coach said in a statement issued by the KNCB: ‘Coaching the Netherlands had been one of the highlights of my coaching career, but I felt that with increasing depth and breadth to its role, it was requiring a level of commitment and presence that I could no longer deliver consistently.

Cook was appointed to the Netherlands in May 2022, and has been instrumental in evolving the national team onto a more professional footing and into one that regularly competes. Over his time, the Dutch side achieved several notable successes under his management including qualification for the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia. In the tournament, the team drew plaudits for noteworthy victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Cook also led the Netherlands to gain a place in Indian 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, for their first appearance at the tournament since 2011. They finished poorly at the end of the standings but otherwise garnered many praises from beating South Africa and Bangladesh in their tournament.

KNCB Chief Executive Huib van Walsem commended Cook for his efforts, referencing the coach’s positive influence on player development, team culture, coaching structures and grassroots cricket around the country. Scott Edwards, Netherlands captain, also paid tribute to the departing coach by stating that he had a major hand in building an environment which helped the side achieve many historic results.

Heino Kuhn, the former South Africa wicketkeeper-batter and then a batting coach for the men’s side, takes over as an interim head coach. He will now be in charge of the Netherlands squad for their ODIS to be played as part of Cricket World Cup League 2.

The Netherlands remain third in the League 2 table with 32 points from 28 matches, eight behind leaders USA and six adrift of second-placed Scotland. With the KNCB still mulling its options for who will replace Sanderson to lead his team full-time, Kuhn now hopes to continue that progress on a temporary basis.

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