Now that the curtain has come down on his playing career, T20 specialist Dan Christian is keen to make a name for himself as a coach
Christian eyes coaching career with playing days over
T20 specialist Dan Christian is keen on forging a coaching career now that his days touring the world as an in-demand allrounder are over.
The 39-year-old announced plans to retire last month and played his last game of professional cricket at the SCG on Thursday night, when the Brisbane Heat eliminated his Sydney Sixers in the penultimate game of the Big Bash finals.
In total, globetrotter Christian played 409 games of T20 cricket for 18 different teams in six different countries and represented Australia a total of 43 times in white-ball cricket.
Ahead of his final game, both teams gathered to honour Christian, who was then unable to mark the occasion with fireworks on a slow SCG wicket, getting bowled by Spencer Johnson for seven just as the Sixers' innings was beginning to go pear-shaped.
He wasn't given the chance to roll the arm over either but did catch Heat skipper Jimmy Peirson from the bowling of fellow veteran Steve O'Keefe
On announcing his retirement, Christian admitted his desire to train had waned this summer but after the loss to the Heat, said he had no intentions of leaving the game behind altogether.
"I'm definitely not lining up to do a nine to five job," he told reporters.
"I'll probably put my hand up somewhere and try to get a (coaching) gig somewhere."
After more than 400 T20 matches, Dan Christian calls time on his career.
%E2%80%94 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 2, 2023
He reflects on it all with @copes9 and talks about what's next 🙏 pic.twitter.com/TdQv0X5TM8
Christian had a taste of coaching at last year's T20 World Cup, when he and former South Africa coach Gary Kirsten were the two marquee signings to the Netherlands' staff for the Australian-based tournament.
He said taking on leadership roles as a player had cemented his intentions to coach.
"I've really enjoyed being an older player and being able to help the younger guys in whatever way shape or form that I can, be it with tactics or with any kind of experience that I've had," Christian said.
"I suppose coaching's the exact same thing without the pressure of having to perform on the field."
Sixers captain Moises Henriques endorsed Christian's career aspirations but encouraged his former teammate to give himself time to relax in retirement first.
"He's going to be missed for sure but hopefully we can keep him involved in some capacity," Henriques said.
"He's the type of guy that whatever he tries to put his mind to, he should be okay.
"I just hope he enjoys the next chapter of his life and doesn't try to force it too quickly.
"He's been playing cricket for a long time so hopefully for him it's six months of golf somewhere, and just enjoy that, get his handicap even lower and then he can worry about working after that."