Ryan ten Doeschate
A cricketing maverick from an associate nation who dominated global awards and now coaches the sport's powerhouse, India.
Born 1980 (age 46)·Dutch-South African cricket coach·Birthday: June 30·Generation X
Biography
Ryan ten Doeschate carved out a legacy that defies the traditional cricket narrative. Born in South Africa but qualifying for the Netherlands through his Dutch mother, he became the standard-bearer for so-called 'associate' nations. As a fierce all-rounder, his batting was both elegant and explosive, and his clever medium-pace bowling broke partnerships. His performances in World Cups for the Dutch were legendary, including a magnificent century against England in 2011. For years, he was the undisputed star of non-Test-playing cricket, a fact recognized by the ICC when they named him Associate Player of the Year a record three times. After a successful county career with Essex, he moved into coaching, where his sharp tactical mind and unique perspective led him to a coveted role as an assistant coach for the Indian men's national team, bringing his underdog wisdom to the game's most intense arena.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Ryan was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ryan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Ryan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the ICC Associate Player of the Year award a record three times (2008, 2010, 2011).
- Scored a brilliant 119 runs against England in the 2011 Cricket World Cup, one of the greatest innings by an associate nation player.
- Was a pivotal all-rounder for Essex County Cricket Club, helping them win the 2019 County Championship.
- Appointed as an assistant coach for the Indian men's national cricket team, working alongside head coach Rahul Dravid.
Did You Know?
He worked as a financial analyst in London while playing county cricket early in his career.
He captained the Netherlands national team in several matches.
His first-class batting average of over 50 is exceptionally high for an all-rounder.
“Playing for the Netherlands was about proving we belonged on the biggest stage.”
