Ryan Cook for Netherlands [Source: @ClinkWrites/X]After a glorious four-year stint with the Netherlands cricket team, Ryan Cook has officially stepped down as the head coach of the cricket team with immediate effect. He severed his ties with the Royal Dutch Cricket Association due to familial duties that have mandated him to step back from his professional career.Cook, who has been a prominent South African cricket coach, was best known for building the giant killers from May 2022, when he led the team to a remarkable campaign in Australia, defeating Zimbabwe and South Africa in the 2022 T20 World Cup edition.Ryan Cook's stepping down was confirmed on June 25, and Heino Kuhn, another former South Africa international who served as batting coach under Cook, will take the helm of the Netherlands as interim coach for their upcoming Cricket World Cup League 2 matches.Ryan Cook’s Stints Beside Building The ‘Giant-Killers’Besides being the head coach for the Netherlands, Ryan also built a strong reputation as a fielding specialist in major global T20 franchise cricket. In the IPL, he served as the fielding coach for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2023 and also joined LSG soon after. In the Big Bash League, he worked as an assistant coach for Hobart Hurricanes and assisted Sunrisers Eastern Cape as a fielding coach in the SA20 League.With a broad coaching CV, Cook, 40, has now decided to step down from his duties just ahead of the ODI World Cup 2027.Also Read- R Ashwin Denies Playing With Haris Rauf In MLC 2026Why Ryan Decided To Step Down As Netherlands Head Coach?Ryan Cook's decision to step down came after his partner, Emma Cook, gave birth to their second child. For parental duties, Ryan is leaving his role in the Dutch Cricket team and will be looking after his child alongside his partner.While departing from his role, Cook was emotional as he shared with the KNCB how strong a connection he had made with the team. Cook Makes Way For A More Deserving CoachCook also shared the fact that he would not be able to focus after the birth of his second child, and hence the Dutch cricket team needs someone who will be deserving and will be able to give full focus to the team's future ahead of the 2027 World Cup."Coaching the Dutch men's team has, without a shadow of a doubt, been one of the highlights of my coaching career so far. It's been an absolute pleasure to lead the journey towards professionalism and creating a competitive cricket team with strong values."I thank all at the KNCB and the Dutch cricket community for all their continued support throughout the years. The KNCB and the team deserve someone who can give the job the full, sustained focus and presence it now requires. I know that the foundations are strong and the future is bright," Cook said in a KNCB statement.Nevertheless, the Netherlands are currently in third place in the race for the World Cup 2027 behind the USA and Scotland, and has bagged 32 points from 28 matches.With Ryan Cook sidelined and Heino at the helm as interim coach, the Netherlands will be desperate to search for a quick replacement as the Dutch fight for their spot in the 2027 World Cup.Also Read- KL Rahul Over Rishabh Pant! Delhi Capitals’ Captaincy Vouched For Senior Keeper
