Belfast: Ireland men’s cricket team head coach Henrich Malan has stepped down a day after a historic 2-0 T20I series win over defending world champions India.
Malone was appointed as the Ireland head coach in 2022, a tenure that was due to run until early 2027, but the former South Africa cricketer felt the thrilling series win over India was the right moment to call an end to his tenure.
Under his tutelage, Ireland qualified for three consecutive editions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and won three Tests, including two against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe respectively.
The T20 World Cup win against England in Melbourne, first Test win against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, first home Test win against Zimbabwe in Belfast, home T20 series win against India and historic T20 series win over Pakistan can be looked back on the field.
He will be replaced by former Ireland T20I captain and assistant coach Gary Wilson with immediate effect as the European team aims to qualify for the ICC Men’s World Cup for the first time since 2015.
Despite relinquishing the role, Malone will work closely with Wilson in the interim period, during which Ireland host Afghanistan for a five-match ODI series, scheduled to be played in August.
Wilson, who has represented Ireland in 292 matches and captained the T20I team 26 times, shared that his coaching beliefs are about building and maintaining relationships to get the best out of players.
“I’ve been very fortunate to work with some great coaches over the years and have had the opportunity to learn a lot,” Wilson said.
“My coaching beliefs have been shaped by every coach I’ve worked with and center around strong communication, building and maintaining relationships to get the best out of players, hard work, a player-centered focus and setting high challenges for those who are motivated to succeed.
“More than anything, I’ve seen firsthand the power of connection with Shamrock and I intend to use it to our advantage.”