If you were a journalist covering the Bangladesh–Netherlands three-match T20I series in Sylhet, then you must have noticed the 5 feet 9 inch tall, fun-loving, soft-spoken media manager Corey Rutgers. He came to Bangladesh with the intention of protecting Dutch cricketers from the host country’s media.
But is he just a media manager? Not really.
He conducted press conferences, managed Bangladeshi reporters for interviews, and was also spotted doing coaching duties. A true multitasker, Corey was born in Perth, Australia, to grandparents of Dutch origin. He played some local cricket in England before turning to coaching and commentary.
If you are active on social media as a cricket enthusiast, you must have come across a viral video where a commentator in shorts and a blazer threw off his headset, leapt over the boundary line, and pulled off a blinder of a catch before celebrating wildly. Ring a bell? That was Corey. He works as a commentator for the European Cricket Network, the hub of those bizarre yet entertaining cricket videos.
On Thursday, just before leaving for the Netherlands, Corey sat down with The Daily Times of Bangladesh’s Jubayer Tanin at the team hotel and shared his journey as a cricketer, coach, and media manager.
During the series, Corey not only managed the media but also helped out in training. He threw balls in the nets and assisted with catching and fielding practice. When asked about his actual role with the Dutch team, he explained, “A few weeks ago, the KNCB and Ryan Cook approached me. I’ve known the guys for a few years. I’ve lived in the Netherlands for many years and they asked me to come on as media manager, specifically because of the Bangladesh press. I wouldn’t say you’re intense, I’d say you’re passionate.”
In a vlog by Dutch opener Max O’Dowd, Corey was even heard saying that he would “protect” the players from Bangladeshi media, as he had received feedback about their intensity.
“As I said, protecting the players is probably not the right word. It’s more about guiding them because it’s a very young group. You don’t want to throw inexperienced players straight into press conferences. Having worked as a commentator in Europe, I had that background in media. They asked me to come as a media manager, but since I’m also a coach, it was handy. On hot training days, I could throw balls and help out.”
Corey’s limited playing career in Perth and England eventually led him to choose coaching. His mother had a significant influence on both his coaching and commentary careers.
When asked why he decided to pursue coaching, Corey replied, “I played three seasons in England when I was 21 or 22. Then I took a few years off, went back to work, and at 25 moved to the Netherlands. That’s when I decided to push for a coaching career because in the T20 world, there weren’t many young coaches. With support from my mum and family, I moved over and it just grew from there, especially with the influence of Ryan Campbell, the previous coach.”
The late Australian cricketer Dean Jones also had a huge impact on Corey’s career. Jones, who passed away in 2020, brought him into the coaching staff of Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
With gratitude in his voice, Corey said, “I owe Dean Jones a lot. Rest in peace, Dean. He was a great coach. It’s sad we lost him, but he gave me an opportunity and I learnt a lot. Then I worked with Misbah the second year in Pakistan. I loved my time at Islamabad United.”
And yes, about that famous catch while commentating. Corey laughed as he recalled the incident.
“I was just sitting there after a long day, commentating 100 overs on my own. I was in Malta, a little island near Italy. I saw the ball go up and, I don’t know, something just clicked. I was tired, but instinct took over. I threw my headset, ran, and somehow caught it. A lot of people were watching, and it turned into a funny moment.”
In the vast world of social media, algorithms often push bizarre cricket videos to your feed. Corey, who has been closely associated with the European Cricket Network, shared his thoughts on these, “You can see some crazy cricket there, but also some very talented cricket. That’s what European cricket is. It works because it’s a mix. If you try to make it like franchise or national-level cricket, it doesn’t work. It’s Europe.”
He further explained the scenario: “Europe is still growing in cricket. Countries like Spain and Italy are pushing through. Germany, Latvia, and Croatia are developing too. So you won’t always see the prettiest cricket, but it’s a mix of comedy and professionalism, and it works.”
Corey is currently the head coach of the Spain national cricket team, where he oversaw a run of 15 consecutive wins.
“I think Spain is following the same trajectory as Italy. What Italy has done, Spain is now doing. They’ve got turf wickets, the game is growing, and Spanish kids are naturally active. They’re good at football and other sports, so cricket has potential there.”
When asked what his biggest takeaway from coaching would be, Corey replied confidently, “One day I’ll be old and it’ll be nice to look back and say I helped a player. That’s all you ever want to do. Whether it’s through commentary, coaching, or media, I just want to help and enjoy myself. That’s who I am.”
He can manage the media, entertain behind the microphone, and lend a hand in the nets. Finally, when asked if he was truly a “Jack of all trades,” Corey smiled and answered, “Yeah, Jack of all trades.”
