Ryan van Niekerk departs the Netherlands Senior Men's team after joining the KNCB in 2022, having accepted the role of assistant coach across all formats with Sri Lanka Cricket. 

Arriving at a pivotal moment for Dutch cricket, he brought exceptional technical knowledge as a bowling coach alongside a rare ability to connect with players and shape the squad's culture, as seen by his success in the Netherlands side qualifying for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024 and 2026 and the marquee ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023.

Speaking to the KNCB, Ryan van Niekerk said:

 “My time with this team has been one of incredible privilege and learning. The relationships that have formed and learnings taken are hard to put into words, but I would like to thank everyone for their commitment, connection and resilience over the three years I was lucky to be a part of this team. I look forward to seeing the team continue growing, just from a little further away. Keep playing total cricket.”

KNCB Board Member Sybrand Engelbrecht comments: “We’re very sad to see Ryan go, but we are equally proud that the quality of his work in the Netherlands has caught the attention of a Full Member nation. Sri Lanka Cricket are gaining a truly exceptional coach, and we have no doubt that Ryan will make his mark on the international stage in every format of the game. We wish Ryan every success in this exciting new chapter of his career.”