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Kirsten: IPL job fits my family

Cape Town - Gary Kirsten says coaching an Indian Premier League (IPL) team at this stage of his coaching career is the "perfect thing" for him and his family.

Kirsten, 45, was on Tuesday unveiled as head coach of IPL side, the Delhi Daredevils.

The former Proteas opener coached India between 2008 and 2011, before taking charge of South Africa for two years.

He resigned as Proteas coach in May this year, in an attempt to spend more time with his family.

"The IPL at this stage of my career is a perfect thing to have happened considering the commitments I have towards my family," Kirsten told the Cape Times.

"They are my priority and devoting three months a year (to cricket) is fine."

At Delhi, Kirsten will work with fellow South African and "old friend" Eric Simons.

Simons - a former Proteas coach himself - was part of Kirsten's management team when India won the 2011 Cricket World Cup. He will step down from his head coaching post at Delhi to be Kirsten's assistant.

"I was recommended by Eric and after having a chat with the owners, I found them to be good people. My job will be to help the boys perform to the best of their abilities. Also having Eric around helps a lot as we go back a long way and complement each other really well," said Kirsten, referring to their playing days together at Western Province in the late 1980s and 1990s.

The duo will have a tough task lifting the fortunes of Delhi though, as the Daredevils finished last in this year's IPL.
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