Proteas get their man but now patience is needed

The news that Gary Kirsten, the former South African opening batsman and coach that masterminded India to their second World Cup triumph, was to be appointed head coach of the Proteas was a poorly kept secret by the administrators but one which supporters of the national cricket team must have breathed a huge sigh of relief upon hearing.

After yet another unsatisfactory performance at a World Cup tournament, the time was right for change. In Kirsten, the Proteas literally got the man who arguably is in the most demand across world cricket at the moment. The icing on the cake was former fast bowler Allan Donald joining Kirsten’s coaching team as bowling coach. Donald was one of the premier quick bowlers of the 90s, in the same class as Glenn McGrath, Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Curtly Ambrose. As the first South African to take 300 Test wickets, his knowledge and experience will provide an ideal foil for Kirsten, and with both men being members of the formidable Hansie Cronje-era Proteas side (before Cronje lost his way), shouldn’t have any problems working together, especially with Kirsten being the one whose phone call snatched Donald from New Zealand’s waiting arms.

The appointment of former Warriors coach Russell Domingo is also a fine choice, recognising one of the top up-and-coming coaches in the country. Whether his selection as assistant coach is something of an anointment once Kirsten moves on, who knows, but Cricket South Africa would be pleased to have such a strong team of men to help guide the Proteas through a new era.

Part of that new era has been the choice of AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla as captain and vice-captain respectively for all limited-over cricket. Graeme Smith resigned that responsibility before this year’s World Cup began. As two of the team’s best-performing batsmen (excluding Jacques Kallis), and still relatively young at 27 and 28 respectively, they are guaranteed a place in all three of South Africa’s sides. De Villiers appears to be much like Smith in how he goes about his business on the field, a player of gut and feel. Amla on the other hand is as serene as a monk in trance. Their different personalities means that the leadership of both the ODI and T20 teams has a wide range of personalities and perspectives to draw on (including Smith, who is still an important player at the top of the order in both formats).

All the necessary ingredients appear to be in the mixing bowl, now it is a question of seeing how the product turns out once it comes out of the never-stopping oven that is international cricket. The retention of Smith as Test skipper is also the right move, bringing a veneer of stability in the longer format, where Smith is most comfortable as a leader and batsman.

With Kirsten’s past success, the pressure on him and the rest of his staff will be high by South African standards. His predecessors to the role, being Corrie van Zyl and Mickey Arthur, didn’t bring an international record with them when they were appointed so in this instance Kirsten’s arrival is immediately different. With India being the most demanding professional cricket environment on the planet, considering that the game is the most popular sport in that country of more than one billion people, South Africa by comparison is a lot more laid back when thinking about the media and fan following. Yes, the expectation is there no doubt, but the environment itself in which Kirsten has to operate is something he was raised out of, and the same goes for both Donald and Domingo.

Still, many will be expecting miracles from Kirsten and co, which if true is a very poor allocation of judgment. Sure, Kirsten was successful but South Africa is a different beast to that of India, as are the players. The culture within the two teams is very different, as is their experience of life coming from two very different countries. The best thing South African fans and the administrators can do is allow Kirsten the time and space that he was afforded in India so he can, along with his assistants, fully understand the current South African cricket machine. With all three new coaches being South African, a large part of the mystery is removed. But compared to the days when Kirsten and Donald represented their country (and with distinction), a whole new regime exists and the political environment, never far removed from South African sport, is also quite different in character. Domingo’s time with the A-side will also prove invaluable when replacements for the likes of Kallis and Mark Boucher need to be chosen.

South Africa appears to have picked the right men to help its cricketers achieve their potential. What should happen now is to give them the room they need to get comfortable so they can work at their optimum level. Only once that happens, will be able to start seeing their methods in full swing and having the desired (we can only hope) effect on the players at the given time.

I don’t know about you, but considering the ups and downs South African cricket fans have been through over the last 10 to 15 years, I’m a patient man. Mr Kirsten, Mr Domingo and Mr Donald, take as much time as you need.