{ "id": "194156", "author": "26", "cnmid": "", "title": "New Coach Gary Kirsten Faces 'A Lot Of Learning' To Rebuild Sri Lanka", "lang": "en", "series": "664", "cup_year": "2026", "article_type": "General", "excerpt": "New Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten says understanding the island's cricketing identity will be central to rebuilding the team for the World Cup. The 58-year-old former South Africa opener start", "subtype": null, "editor1": "

New Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten says understanding the island's cricketing identity will be central to rebuilding the team for the World Cup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The 58-year-old former South Africa opener started last week on a two-year contract that will see him in charge for the 50-over World Cup next year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I need to understand the culture really well, understand what makes the players tick, understand the environment," Kirsten told reporters in Colombo.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I've got a lot of learning to do as I go through this journey."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Kirsten was India coach from 2008 to 2011, taking them to World Cup glory, then coached South Africa from 2011 to 2013.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

He was appointed by Sri Lanka after Sanath Jayasuriya left the position before his term was due to expire at the end of June.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Sri Lanka co-hosted the T20 World Cup with eventual winners India but crashed out at the Super Eights stage, their fate sealed by a 61-run defeat to New Zealand.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Kirsten said he would work with translators -- but that English "works quite well in cricket" as a language of communication.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I've worked across a lot of different cultures and countries, so I've had a bit of experience in that space," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Also Read: <\/b> Live Cricket Score<\/a><\/h5>

The 2027 World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
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