You can’t, they say, keep a good man down. Three months after announcing his retirement from international cricket, former Dutch skipper Jeroen Smits is back in the middle of things, if not literally in the middle.

Having enjoyed an illustrious career as a wicketkeeper, known for his irrepressible energy behind the stumps, Smits was this week appointed High Performance Advisor by the KNCB.

In truth, he has never really been away – he has in the interim been involved behind the scenes with the long-running saga of player contracts for members of the Dutch squad, a role he was already playing when still captain.

But this week’s announcement gives him a formal role, not only as advisor to new CEO Richard Cox, but also as chairman of the potentially-influential High Performance Steering Group. Other members of that group are national coaches Peter Drinnen and Roland Lefebvre, and the three selectors: the recently-appointed chairman Darrin Murray, together with Luuk van Troost and Tim de Leede, both of whom are also former captains of the national side, current captain Peter Borren, and national team manager Ed van Nierop.

It is without question the most experienced and knowledgeable team ever assembled in Dutch cricket, and under Smits’ leadership it will provide enormous benefits to Cox as he works to generate renewed momentum in the development of the sport at the highest levels.

Smits’ own remit includes representing the players’ interests on the contracts issue, advising on future tours and preparatory camps, liaising with Full members over ODI fixtures, advising on preparation and the role of the national support team, and helping with the vexed question of the availability of county-contracted players.

It is no secret that Smits worked closely with Drinnen in shaping the build-up to the World Cup qualifying tournament in South Africa in March and the World Twenty20 competition in England in June, and it is highly enouraging that in his new role he will have an ongoing involvement with the same questions.

Commenting on the appointment, CEO Richard Cox said: ‘Jeroen and I have known each other for many years having played against each other, and upon his recent retirement it seemed vital to me to retain his knowledge and skills in a formal capacity.

‘In recent weeks we have worked closely on the subject of player contracts and expect to make some announcements on that shortly – it’s great news to have him so closely involved with team and I am sure the players and support staff feel the same.’

There had been rumours circulating in The Netherlands that Smits was about to join the KNCB Board, but his new function will allow him to concentrate on the matters which concern him most and where he will be able to have the greatest impact.

‘This is really the ideal solution for me,’ he told CricketEurope on Thursday. ‘It’s the practical side of things where I can make the biggest difference, and I look forward to functioning as a go-between between the CEO and Board on the one hand and the players on the other.

‘In Richard Cox and [new KNCB treasurer] Peter van Wel we have two men who are committed to creating more structure and making the most of the resources we have, and I’m delighted to have the chance to support them in that.’

Smits sees communication with the players as a central issue, which relates not only to contracts but to the management and support of the national squads more generally.

‘Getting the first round of contracts sorted has been difficult,’ he says, ‘but we’re almost there. The priority has been to get the issue resolved before the players leave for India, Dubai and Kenya.

‘But in the longer term, I see it as vital that we strengthen the base of the squad, both by developing our own talent more effectively and by identifying young overseas players who are qualified and keen to play for The Netherlands.’

The Dutch have found it difficult to get fixtures against Full member opposition in the past, and Smits sees this – and not only for the full side, but for the A team as well – as a key matter of concern. He also supports the introduction of some form of domestic multi-day competition.

‘We we have to be realistic,’ he adds. ‘In the end, it’s always a question of money – I can have all the great ideas in the world, but if there’s no money to pay for them we can’t put them into effect.’

Bringing in new sponsorship is, it is widely recognised, crucial for the KNCB in its present state of development, but with the High Performance Steering Group under Smits’ leadership, any potential sponsors can be confident that their money will be well spent.