WINDHOEK, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Cricket Namibia has appointed former South African cricketer and World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten as a consultant to the country's national men's team.

Natalia Nauyoma, Cricket Namibia's marketing manager, confirmed Monday that Kirsten began his role on December 5 and will remain with the team on an open-ended basis.

Kirsten enjoyed a distinguished international career with South Africa from 1993 to 2004, playing 101 Test matches and 185 one-day internationals.

"It is indeed a privilege to work with Cricket Namibia. I have been thoroughly impressed with the dedication and determination to create a high-performance cricket environment," Kirsten said.

Kirsten's appointment reflects Cricket Namibia's efforts to strengthen its high-performance structure and support the existing coaching setup. He will work closely with head coach Craig Williams, contributing to the team's technical direction and long-term development.

As a coach, Kirsten guided India to victory at the 2011 International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup, and later served as head coach of Pakistan's national team.

He has also founded a cricket academy in Cape Town, South Africa, and has held a range of coaching and mentorship roles worldwide. ■