COLOMBO: 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 started last week on a two-year contract that will see him in charge for the 50-over World Cup next year.

“I need to understand the culture really well, understand what makes the players tick, understand the environment,” Kirsten told reporters in Colombo. “I’ve got a lot of learning to do as I go through this journey.”

Kirsten was India coach from 2008 to 2011, taking them to World Cup glory, then coached South Africa from 2011 to 2013.

He was appointed by Sri Lanka after Sanath Jayasuriya left the position before his term was due to expire at the end of June.

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.

Kirsten said he would work with translators — but that English “works quite well in cricket” as a language of communication.

“I’ve worked across a lot of different cultures and countries, so I’ve had a bit of experience in that space,” he said.

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

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2026