Less than 24 hours after overseeing his side clinch a historic 2-0 victory over India in the two-match T20I series, Ireland men’s senior cricket team head coach Heinrich Malan has stepped down from his role, the team announced on social media.

Former Ireland cricketer Gary Wilson, who has served as Malan’s assistant since 2021, has been named as his successor.

The 45-year-old was appointed as head coach in 2022 and led Ireland to three successive T20 World Cup participations and helped Ireland record its first win in Tests, before the most recent triumph against India.

In a statement, Malan, whose contract was initially supposed to end in early 2027, said he believed it was the right time for somebody new to take over as preparation begins for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

“It has been an absolute privilege to work with these players, staff and the wider Irish cricket community. My family and I have had a wonderful experience living here, and we will look back on our time involved in Irish cricket with great affection. Thank you to the players, coaches and staff for believing in our shared vision — it has been a very special journey,” Malan said.

ALSO READ:PowerPlay promise, middle-over drift: How India lost its way at the Women’s T20 World Cup

Wilson becomes the first Irish-born person to be the head coach of the Ireland team in over 30 years, since John Willis in the early 1990s.

One of Ireland’s most accomplished cricketers, Wilson has made over 180 international appearances and scored over 3000 runs for his country.

The wicket-keeper batter’s first assignment as head coach will be the five-match ODI series against Afghanistan starting in August.

Published on Jun 29, 2026