Ashley Noffke takes charge of the Netherlands men on a deal through to 2028

The Royal Dutch Cricket Board has appointed the former Australia all-rounder Ashley Noffke as head coach of the Netherlands men's team on a contract running to the end of 2028

The KNCB confirmed the appointment on Wednesday, handing Ashley Noffke a two-year deal that covers the whole of the next white-ball cycle. He replaces Ryan Cook, who stepped down to spend more time with his family.

The 49-year-old arrives from Pakistan's men's set-up, where he worked as assistant coach with charge of the bowling group. He inherits a side that has already secured its place in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier and remains in contention for the T20 World Cup 2028.

Noffke has coached in Australia, England, New Zealand and India across fifteen years, and the KNCB counts 14 titles on that record.

A coaching career spread across four countries

Noffke retired from playing in 2010 and moved almost immediately into coaching, first as an assistant bowling coach at Western Australia and then as bowling coach for the Queensland Bulls and the Brisbane Heat.

Head-coach roles with the Brisbane Heat and Queensland Fire women's sides followed, bringing the WBBL and WNCL titles the KNCB lists among his 14.

In December 2022 he took charge of London Spirit's women in the Hundred, a side he led to a maiden title in the competition in August 2024. He also spent a spell as assistant coach of UP Warriorz in the Women's Premier League.

A single season as head coach of Otago in 2024-25 preceded the move to Pakistan, where he served as assistant coach and bowling coach through 2025.

Three caps and a heavy first-class record

Born in Nambour, Queensland, Noffke made his first-class debut in 1999 and played for Queensland until 2009 before a final season with Western Australia.

He finished with 3,766 first-class runs and 386 wickets, the figures the KNCB set out in its announcement.

His best return was 8-24 from 15 overs for Middlesex against Derbyshire in September 2002, and his highest first-class score was 114 not out.

International cricket was brief by comparison: two T20Is in December 2007 and a single ODI in February 2008.

Two qualification campaigns to manage

The term is built around two tournaments. The Netherlands have secured a place in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier, the route to the ODI World Cup 2027.

Beyond that sits the T20 World Cup 2028, for which the Dutch remain in contention.

Because the contract runs to the end of 2028, both campaigns fall inside it, and Noffke picks up the qualifying programme at its start rather than midway through.

A side that has made a habit of upsets

The Netherlands have built their recent reputation on beating larger teams at global events rather than on qualification alone.

At the 2023 Cricket World Cup they beat South Africa and Bangladesh, two of the more striking results of that tournament.

At the 2026 T20 World Cup they won a group match against Namibia, the sort of fixture the qualifying cycle now turns on.

Connection before the plan

"I look forward to working with the Dutch men's team, which has become a fixture at T20 World Cups," Noffke said in the announcement. "This is a talented, motivated group and my goal is to continue that development and advance the programme further."

He set out his method in the same statement. "My approach starts with connection, before the tactic or the plan. I can't wait to get started."

The KNCB gave no date for his first assignment with the squad.

Noffke's tenure begins with the Netherlands' qualifying programme for the ODI World Cup 2027, under a contract that runs to the end of 2028.

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