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Arthur and Smith - BFFs no more ...
As if India isn’t a tough enough place to tour in the first place, they will now have to do so with major disruption in the ranks after Mickey Arthur resigned on Monday evening – four days before the squad heads off to the sub-continent.
Arthur’s shock move comes after his relationship with captain Graeme Smith had “deteriorated irreparably” over the last year, with the recent 1-1 series draw against England being the final nail in the coffin.
Corrie van Zyl has been appointed caretaker coach for the tour to India, having previously been assistant coach of the team. He these days acts as coach of Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) High-Performance Centre in Pretoria.
But who will take the role on a permanent basis? One thing for sure – it won’t be someone with a strong personality like Smith.
That would rule out former Proteas coach Ray Jennings, as well as for SA captain Kepler Wessels, who has achieved success as coach for Northampshire in England and in the IPL.
Duncan Fletcher was brought on board as a batting consultant during the series against the English and has long been thought of as a potential Proteas coach. He achieved amazing results while holding the reins for England, leading them to a famous Ashes series victory in 2005.
He also has the advantage of knowing the players fairly well, and is the one credited with transforming Jacques Kallis into the player he is these days.
On the local scene, former Titans coach Richard Pybus is probably the favourite. He knows the majority of the players like AB de Villiers, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn very well, and has international experience following a stint as Pakistan coach.
And what about a completely left-field suggestion and getting someone like Allan Donald on board? He has served as a bowling coach for the England team and knows the players better than anyone.
Too early? Maybe, but then at least get him in as a bowling coach and off the TV as a commentator!
HAVE YOUR SAY: Who would you like to see replace Mickey Arthur?
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Well…if Ray Jennings and Graeme Smith can bury their issues I am sure that he can repeat the success that he had with the team a few years ago. BUT I cant see that happening. Then I want to ask a question. WHo has the final say or let me ask who is the big boss in a cricket team, the coach or the captain. Maybe if these roles are more clearly defined the captain and coach will settle in their respective roles easier.
What more can Mickey Arthur offer this team in terms of coaching ? I think he has overstayed his welcome . He probably had to do this ( resigned ) earlier , because i could see the omf and the fighting spirit in this Protea’s team was gone . Greame Smith,i want you to carry on being the strong character ( every one is complaining about) . We need strong minded , uncompromisings players like you to carry us through in India .
Thanx Mickey …….. good bye .
Gavin Jacobs
Muizenberg ( Costa da Gama )
sorry Mickey
you are the weakest link , GOOD BYE …..
Gavin
Glad you are gone, Mickey. Now Greamme Smith should follow your lead. He is all talk and, but for being very lucky getting big scores against England, is too predictable in his batting and his captaincy. He faked a broken finger to come across as a hero and the whole country believed him. Followed by the BOOK (of course).He may be a good cricketer, but so are most of the team. That does not mean that you are a good captain. The worst thing that can happen now is Kepler Wessels getting the job. He is also all talk.He was the most boaring batsman to watch.
Give a colored a chance at both spots and see what happens. There will be analysis and negative comments from the start. Not to mention that the word “merit” will be thrown around. Most of the past coaches and captains wre not there on merit. They were allowed to grow and obtain stature in their position. Bet you a coloured or black person will be expected to arrive with stature and merit.
This is turning out better than I have previously predicted.
The coaches need to go. It is long overdue and well done to their successes but new foundation required with the World cup in 2011.
My perfect candidate is our own Gary Kirsten, India now TEST 1 and that is the next world cup venue. Alan Donald as Bowling coach.
Start selecting players on form with others in the fringe waiting to get back into form. Stop the choking now play with our best. Charl langeveldt being left out is an absolute choke.
Last but not least please DO NOT select any other players who are not soley and truly South African otherwise we will be following ENGLAND in KP, TROTT.
HAPPY TO HELP WITH THIS , CALL ME
Okay, some issues with some comments:
@ Cahrl (Charl?) – I dig Ray Jennings, but him and Biff would be the ultimate explosive concoction. Birds of a feather, they are.
@ Gavin – Spot on.
@ CJ – I’m not sure how much cricket you watch if you reckon that Smith should go. For any opener to average around 51 in Test cricket is phenomenal. This toss of him faking an injury is absolute nonsense. Graeme is a gutsy cricketer who has achieved incredible success despite a not-so-perfect technique. And for anyone to take over the captaincy of your national team at that age and make it out alive is astounding. Yes, he has perhaps grown a bit too powerful a character in the dressingroom, but that is the nature of the man. Finally, what has Kepler’s batting got to do with this? Cricket has changed significantly since he played – when he was playing, that was the norm. He is an incredible leader who demands respect, though I fell he and Jennings might have flaws in dealing with Smith.
@ Ronald – I’d love for Gazza to come on board, but perhaps it’s a bit early for him still. I’d wait another 3 years or so with him. But yes … get Donald on board now!!!!!!
Finally, I believe Duncan Fletcher would be the best bet until Gazza comes on board. He knows the players, demands respect, and has a great record.
Graeme…you are well past your sell by date …you do not deserve to be there…who do you think you are…remember one thing..CRICKET is bigger than you….about time you learnt that.
Past your sell-by date?? Kurt, are you drunk??
The coach is still the coach. No Captain is bigger than the coach. The bigger he gets the harder he will fall(after India?)
Graham is a very, very good batsman. As a captain I have my reservations. He admitted that he sent Ntini in for the last over in the hope to have a Cinderella ending to Ntini’s 100th test. What utter nonsence. Where is his logic and his killer instinct? Leader of the chokers?
The entire sa cricket management structure are too weak for Greame. One can clearly see it in his demeanor when adressing Gerald Majola end the like. They clearly believe in him the future is secured for them and not with Mickey. Mickey clearly could not explain what was wrong with the performance of the team even though selction and tactics was determined by him, Smith and selectors. Tactics less so by selectors but the team is selcted based on game plan. Him and Smith are to blame for the fiasco against England. For me Smith even compounded matters with the handling of Ntini, read emotional and the way he preferred Harris and Newlands while JP was clealry the better bowler able to deliver the knock-out punch. I am still puzzled why Parnell bowled so little in the first session of the final test,even when considering the context of the game at that stage. Was he forced on Smith and Mickey therefore this issue now?
As one of many millions mad about SA sport who was extremely fortunate and grateful to see my beloved South Africa bowl out England in one day in the final test match of the series at The ‘Bull Ring’ .I would love to see us, as all South Africans ,be the best cricketing nation in the world. To be able to consistently win test matches ,one days and twenty’s twenty’s.
There is no doubt that we now have the ingredients with maybe a little tweak here and there.We do have great players, potential greats ,commitment and passion and a wonderful fighting spirit (Mark Boucher ,Morne Morkel ,Dale Steyn ,Graham Smith and MR Kallis you beauties !! ). What we need now is the ultimate leader/coach to take us there and keep us there .But not only take us there but constantly be THE BEST .Like as much I hate to say the Aussies .Over the past many years they continually produce winning results no matter which legend in their team retires or what changes take place .
I hate using them as a bench mark but we must surely learn from them .How often do we see a brand new name coming on immediately or sooner rather than later.Often so many of our players are not (when great potential is noticed ) made to be awesome .
I honestly think we have a good test side now and importantly we have new potential which I sincerely hope will be realised .
What SA cricket now needs is a strong powerful disciplined no nonsense coach /leaders to lead this side to greatness ..not a soup meat guy and not soup meat cricket .
A crucial element must be to take all those guys who have great potential and let the great bowlers/ batman’s that we have in this country (I wont even start to name them there are so many ).Coach them and mould them to be the best (like the Aussies do )This will always ensure that when an absolute Legend like MR Kallis G-D fordid retires in 20 years time there is a young champion waiting to take over .
In my humble opinion Kepler Wessels is the man to lead SA to greatness and Jet Jennings at his side .I know a lot is said about Graham wanting to dominate .Well if he wants the best for SA Cricket as the amazing lEGEND John Smit wants for SA RUGBY AND HIS TEAM ,then he needs to lead as well he has done on the field and continue to make hundred after hundred and LEAVE the coaching /managing to great cricket men like Kepler Wessels .
All players ,management administrators etc need to be on the same page in all aspects. Stop the bullshit politics and other nonsense for personal gain.This has always messed up all our sports and has done so much damage to our precious sport . What needs to be done is what is best for South African cricket and the fans that love our team so much .This will I know ensure that we are proudly with tears in our eyes the best cricket team in the world .
Viva Proteas viva .Viva Rainbow nation viva. Viva stop all crime in our beautiful land so we can live in peace and freedom in South Africa Viva
Iky
As for the relationship between Mickey and Graeme, both have been ban by our cricket board not too comment. So for me to comment would be speculation and i want to stay away from that.
We all know the saying, new broom sweeps clean, and that is exactly what South African cricket needs. We have become too complacent over the past couple of years with our cricket. We always seem to rely on certain players and not the team. We as South Africans need to realize that this is a team sport and we need for the entire team to perform.
Having said this, I would love to see our very own Legend – Gary Kirsten taking the job. He was a masterful batsman and with his ability to take India to the no. 1 standing, it seems the natural choice. He has the capabilities to push the Proteas.
We must though give credit where it is due. Mickey you have done us proud. Your achievements at the helm have been phenomenal. Thank you for what you have done to SA Cricket and more importantly you have left your mark on South African sport. You will definitely continue to carry on changing the face of cricket. GOOD LUCK!!!
I think that the first person who should have left is greame smith. He is a poor excuse for a cricketeer. Look at the cobras for example. They were going real well and specially gibbs. But as soon as he was put into the cobras side they tumbled to a fall in their semi final. I can almost garuantee that it would never have happened if he and duminy wern’t ther. If he goes The SA team would be a much better team. And every body there won’t be in fear of losing their place because smith has a isue with them.
My team would look ike this:
Andrew Puttick
herschille gibbs
Jaques kallis
Loots bosman
AB De Villiers
Mark Boucher
Albie Morkel
Rudolf van der merwe
Morne morkel
Dale steyn
Wayne Parnell
This squad I would leave as is for 20/20, one days, and test. You will see a whole new SA team evolve. This team together with Mickey Arthur as coach will be no. 1 and stay there a while.
well, i think either gary kirsten or kepler wessels should be elected permanent coach of the proteas. gary on the other hand used to play under the captaincy of smith before he retired and i believe they can make it work, thats if he is willing to leave india. allan donald should be elected bowling coach with immediate effect.
im glad he left, just hope sa would see the light and get alan and jonty in to help as fielding bowling coach, also Fletcher sounds like a good idea =)
What a sad day for cricket. I believe Mickey did his best, I also believe that Graham has too much power. Where have you ever seen that the captain has all the say. it is like a company where the CEO is there in name only and the head of a department makes the decisions. Remember Ray Jennings brought back old fashioned class to the players, Graham did not like it so Jennings had to go. The new coach must be either Jennings and or Kepler, they have strong personalities and Graham must respect that. Otherwise Johan Botha must be elected captain. Graham has a tendency (so it appears) when you look at his body language that he does not treat his players with respect. It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice. You gain more respect.
I am sad and hope that politics and colour does not play a role in this fiasco. Otherwise we will have another Bafana on our hands. I also hope that should the team be selected on colour and not performance, that the public should stop attending the games and that the sponsors will think twice before supporting the team. We are so proud of our Rugby and Cricket, what can we say about bafana
Mickey wishing you well for the future.
Hope the selectors that were fired get their fair monetary share. never heard of just being fired telephonically, what a shame.
Ja, Smith is powerful, but that is just the nature of his character, and it is what makes him such a good captain, fighter and batsman.
My view is that he is just too good a player to lose. Maybe he needs to be reigned in slightly, but not by taking him out of the side.
And perhaps that is where a Kepler Wessels could do a good job – providing they don’t moer each other first. Which, incidentally, will be a decent fight as Smith is a brute of a man and Wessels a boxer of some renown!!
I saw this coming at the beginning of the england tour.!One could just see there was something wrong.I believe Arthurs resignation was forced and it was CSAs way of saying thanks, allowing him to resign instead of sacking him. Hopefully smith will also step down as captain and remain in the team only as opening bat. I think Kepler Wessels will be the perfect choice as coach.The team need discipline and having played in australia he understands the ruthless efficiency required to win. His no-nonsense approach to the game is exactly what the proteas need to go the the next level and I believe he is the man to get us a major icc trophy.As for captain,Johan Botha is the logical choice having already guided the proteas to 1 day series win over Australia when smith was injured.Also thank god they got rid of the selectors-I mean who in their right mind leaves Gibbs out of a south african team.He may not be as consistant as we would like but just having him on the field makes all the oppositions nervous.You can see this by the response of the opposing team when they get him out(especially the australians).He should be in the team till he decides he has had enough.He still has some big hundreds left in him in all forms of the game!
My ideal setup:
Wessels-head coach focusing on batting(being left handed he is the perfect
man to help the strugling duminy!)
Donald-Bowling coach
Rhodes-fielding coach
Team:Starting 11 for all formats
Smith-Bat
Kallis-Bat/Bowl
Gibbs-Bat
Amla-Bat
De Villiers-Bat&reserve w/k
Duminy-Bat/Bowl
Boucher-w/k&bat
Botha-Bowl/bat
Parnell-Bowl/bat
Morkel,Morne-Bowl/bat
Steyn-Bowl/bat
Rest of 15 man squad:
Petersen,Alviro-Bat
Tsotsobe-Bowl
Morkel,Albie-Bat/bowl
Langeveld-Bowl
With this team we will be unbeatable!
that team of yours have one big problem actually 2 JP Duminy he is useless and greame smith he is not worth the paper his name is printed on
Woner what all those fundi’s who welcomed Arthur’s( took us to No 1) axing in favour of our Hero Graham are thinking now. Smith has a better average for getting rid of Coaches than winning test matches. Look at the test games won/lost say of Pollock axed after losing a ODI, Hansie political scapegoat. Smith and his mate Majola must go, as should Prince and poor Duminy back to 1st class cricket to let him get over his 5 minutes of fame. Just two things on the current Indian test series; 1. Our bowlers will pay dearly in the 2nd test for their mammoth effort to massage ego’s by get an innings win. 2. Boucher gets injured and what do our hero’s in the think tank do? Fly in a specialist keeper from SA…nah lets add to pressure on AB.
hi kobus , with a name like this it seems you are a blue bulls fan and should be making comments on rugby not cricket what utter rubbish
Hi Dave,
with a name like yours you should be a basket ball fan and other than rubbishing someone elses comments on cricket (which turned out to be 80% accurate) what pearls of wisdom do you have to offer?
Kobus,
with the exception of leaving in Smith as opener (not captain) I agree with your comment. JP spend a little more time playing 1st class test cricket, then lets see in another year or so! Instant fame does funny things to people and I really believe JP can become a good all rounder just needs time…..but not at the expense of the Protea’s.
Which Kobus?, one talks sense the other doesn’t same person?
well done Micky you have done a great job for squart, and i appretiate it. Good luck on what eva you will be doing