Netherlands appoint Ashley Noffke as head coach

The former Australia international replaces Ryan Cook, who will step down for family reasons

Netherlands have appointed former Australia international Ashley Noffke as their new men's head coach, with the 49-year-old signing an initial two-year contract that runs until the end of 2028.

Noffke succeeds Ryan Cook, who will step down from the role to spend more time with his family. The Australian's immediate brief will be to guide the Netherlands through qualification for the 2027 ODI and 2028 T20 World Cups.

Noffke brings extensive playing and coaching experience to the role. As a player, he represented Australia and had a first-class career spanning Queensland, Western Australia and four English counties - Durham, Middlesex, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. He also featured for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the inaugural IPL match in 2008.

He finished his first-class career with 3,766 runs and 386 wickets, and was only the third Australian to achieve a season double of 500 runs and 50 wickets, a feat that earned him State Player of the Year honours.

His coaching career has taken him across Australia, England, New Zealand and Asia. Noffke won a WBBL title and two successive Coach of the Year awards with Brisbane Heat, as well as a WNCL championship with Queensland Fire. He also guided London Spirit to their maiden Hundred title.

After leading Otago's men's programme in New Zealand, Noffke joined the Pakistan men's team in 2025 as assistant coach and bowling lead. Noffke said building connections would be central to his approach with the Netherlands.

"I'm looking forward to working with the Dutch men's team, which has become a fixture at the T20 World Cups. This is a talented, motivated group, and my goal is to help continue that development and move the programme forward. My approach starts with connection, before the tactic or the plan. I can't wait to get started."

KNCB CEO Huib van Walsem backed Noffke's experience and philosophy, while also paying tribute to Cook's tenure. "Noffke brings global experience and fourteen championships to this role, and his belief that connection comes before tactics will resonate with this group.

"We thank Ryan Cook for the huge strides he made with the men's programme, technically, tactically and in terms of fitness. Noffke doesn't inherit talent and hope for the best. He builds the environment that talent needs to last, and we couldn't be more pleased to have him leading that work."

Noffke succeeds Ryan Cook, who will step down from the role to spend more time with his family.