Kyle Coetzer, a veteran Scotland cricketer, has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket with immediate effect. The decision comes after he accepted the post of Assistant Coach with the Northern Diamonds, one of the eight women's regional ECB hubs.
Cricket Scotland announced that Kyle begins his new job this week as the Diamonds squad head for a preseason training camp in Spain. After a successful career, Kyle, 38, a former Scotland captain, hangs up his bat having set records aplenty, including being Scotland's highest run scorer in ODI cricket, with 3192 runs in 89 matches.
"I've been playing for Scotland since I was 11 or 12 years old, so it's been the best part of 26 years playing for my country. I can still remember the day when Peter Steindl picked me - we were sat in the scorers shed at Merchiston Castle School, and when he called out my name I just thrust my hands up in the air in celebration!" Kyle said in an official statement.
Kyle stepped down as captain last year, having led his country in 110 matches in all formats of the game. He ends his playing career on a high, having been part of the squad that lifted the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 Trophy in Nepal last month.
"The chance to move straight into the performance game isn't always there, and I'm fortunate that this opportunity opened up for me at this moment and I can take it on. The Northern Diamonds are one of the top sides in the country; they won the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy at Lord's last season, and they've been performing pretty well in the last couple of years. To be involved with coaching a performance team at that level is really exciting," Kyle added.
During his career, Kyle scored Scotland's first-ever ODI World Cup century in 2015, attained more wins than any other Scottish captain. In a watershed moment for Scottish cricket, he led his country to qualify for the Super 12s in the 2021 Men's T20 World Cup in the UAE. He was also crowned the ICC Men's Associate Cricketer of the Decade in 2020 and awarded an MBE for Services to Cricket in the same year.
"With both the current squad and past players, it's all been so special. I must thank all the coaches and teammates and staff, and the support I've had from friends and family to help me in my career. There's been so many people all around the world who've helped me to shape me in my career, and will continue to do so," Kyle concluded.