Kepler Has Smith All A-Twitter
Graeme Smith: Belligerent
Protea skipper Graeme Smith brazenly had a go at former SA captain and current national selector, Kepler Wessels – on Twitter.
Wessels, who also doubles up as an occasional batting consultant for the Proteas, merely echoed the sentiments of other pundits – if not the entire nation – when he questioned the team’s performance at the recent World Twenty20, which did little to shrug off their notorious “choker” title.
Smith, seemingly frustrated by all the criticism directed at his team, saw fit to lash out on a public forum, with this tweet: “find it amazing that kepler can sit and say should have picked a younger squad when he was 1 of the selectors who chose it!unbelievable!”
Several minutes later, he posted another: “Atleast we own up to playing poorly.but all these so called experts/ex players im not sure I see a winners medal hanging round there [sic] necks!”
One could only imagine his frustration, as leader of an under-performing unit, was the catalyst behind his outburst – but was it justified? And what will the repercussions of Smith’s tantrum be?
There have been previous reports of tension between the two, and Wessels’ multiple roles as consultant and selector within the Proteas setup has surely done little to ease the situation.
Confidence in the national team is at an all-time low, and many are calling for Smith – who has been skipper for the past seven years – to step down.
HARSH WORDS
Shortly after being knocked out in the Caribbean, coach Corrie van Zyl privately lambasted each of the players, according to all-rounder Albie Morkel. “The guys stayed in their rooms for about a day trying to deal with the situation. Corrie van Zyl called us in individually and harsh words were spoken,” revealed Morkel. “It was bad when we dropped out of the tournament. Everybody was irritated because we knew we let ourselves and the supporters down.”
One would think, given the state of the national team and the dissatisfied supporters baying for blood, that the players would be doing everything possible to learn from their mistakes and improve on their performances; you know, go at it hammer and tongs on the training field! But there seems to be a generally nonchalant mood among the players (with the exception of a few), if their tweets are anything to go by…
Graeme Smith: “Off to training now been putting in the hours.trying to find confidence in my game after long injury lay off!”
“Yes we are that desperate for a braai!finding a way in antigua. http://twitpic.com/1opqv5”
Mark Boucher: “Staying at an awesome hotel.spoilt…need tash here to round it off.thanx for all the support despite our poor game vs eng.u guys are great!”
“Well done Tim Clark!extremely proud!the microphone is yours the whole nite!”
“Thanx for ur loyal support guys and to the people close to me.I’m sorry sandy.wanted to write a personal thank u for the cakes.”
AB de Villiers: “Thanks for all the comments!!! I know it’s not easy to keep supporting us after our poor performances, but I guarantee you, we’ll be back.”
“The sun is shining again! Wasn’t expecting that to happen today:) Amazing! Gonna have to move on and start from scratch again.”
“Went for a long run this morning!!! Now, to the nets to get the skills better. Can’t wait for the Bulls vs Stormers game! Scores??”
Albie Morkel: “loving the off day. gonna work on my tan a bit later.”
“just finished my first braai, it was awesome!!”
“armchair critics, gotta love them..”
Herschelle Gibbs: “Shot for all da support people,I’m sorry I’ve dissapointd u guys! Unlucky but da sun wil cum up tomor for sur! Peace out!”
But Gibbs, who wasn’t selected for the ODI squad touring West Indies after the World Twenty20 tournament, returned home, and is seemingly living it up:
“I’m not in da odi squad so home in 2days time”
“Wet and cold cape town,mite get wild lata!”
“Kfc or steers wit my 3sterri stumpies? Wat shall it be?”
“Large steers chips and 4 pieces of kfc! Time to rock it! Great to be bak in da mother of all lands yal!”
“@tees777 I’ve got 2weeks off,let’s giv da cricket talk a break shall we! Believe it or not there is mor to life!”
“It was a nite out wit da lads! Sum mor of da same tonite I think!”
Nice one ‘hershybru’.
Paul Harris Joins Lions
Paul Harris, the South Africa left-arm spinner, has completed a move to the Lions franchise in a bid to be included in the national squad for the 2011 World Cup. Harris left the Titans after eight seasons with the Centurion-based franchise because a lack of game-time in the limited overs formats of the game.
The Titans were unable to guarantee Harris a place in all three versions of the game because of the continued good form of Roelof van der Merwe and Faf du Plessis, whereas the Lions have assured Harris that he will start the season as their first-choice spinner. “Obviously, if I bowl badly, and then I don’t play I can accept that, but at least I know I will be at the frontline at the beginning of the season,” Harris told Cricinfo.
He will face stiff competition from the current crop of spinners at the Lions that includes Werner Coetsee and Aaron Phangiso, and Lions coach Dave Nosworthy has said the rivalry among players will be healthy. “There are never any guarantees when it comes to selection and it will be good to have players fighting for positions. We are very happy to give Paul the opportunity to challenge for a spot in the South African team with us and I think our players will also learn a lot from a guy like him.”
Nosworthy and Harris will be reunited at the franchise, after the former discovered Harris “languishing at Western Province B” almost ten years ago. Harris played under Nosworthy at the Titans and hopes being with his old coach will trigger a positive reaction. Harris has also informed the national powers-that-be of the reason behind his move and said Corrie van Zyl and Graeme Smith are aware of his intentions to crack the one-day side. “Everyone has been very supportive of my move and told me that they think it will be good for me and my game.”
Harris said he has no particular plan to unseat the likes of Johan Botha or van der Merwe at the national level but that he hopes, “by getting game time and taking wickets, I will be able to put my hand up for selection. If I perform well and don’t manage to get selected, then maybe I can just help the Lions win a few trophies,” he said.
The beleaguered Johannesburg-based franchise has won only one trophy since the franchise system began and developed the reputation of whipping boys in all three domestic competitions, although they made a surprise entry into the pro20 final in the past season. Harris said he had knowledge of the internal strife that has plagued the GCB since last year. “I am going to just focus on the game and whatever happens behind the scenes is not my issue. I just want to play cricket.” The union is currently awaiting an investigation by Cricket South Africa into issues surrounding the legitimacy of its board.
With thanks to cricinfo.com
Gary Kirsten To Extend Contract In India Until 2011
The Board of Control for Cricket in India wants to extend coach Gary Kirsten’s contract until the 2011 World Cup.
The former South Africa opening batsman signed a two-year contract with the BCCI in March 2008 and media reports suggested that he would return to his homeland at the end of his term next month.
“He will continue his stint with the Indian team,” said the BCCI president, Shanshank Manohar. “We will renew his contract.”
Kirsten has been rumoured to be the front-runner to take over the South Africa team following Mickey Arthur’s departure from the helm last week, although he said: “I have not been contacted by Cricket South Africa.”.
South Africa, under caretaker coach Corrie van Zyl, are currently in India for two Tests and three one-day internationals, starting this weekend.
Have your say: Do you think Cricket South Africa is making a mistake by not talking to Kirsten about coaching SA?
Thanks to the guardian.co.uk
Arthur’s Hefty Payout
Corrie van Zyl is taking over from Mickey Arthur (above).
Former Proteas coach Mickey Arthur has reportedly received a hefty payout from Cricket South Africa (CSA) after resigning from his post earlier this week.
Arthur officially announced his resignation at a press conference in East London on Wednesday morning, citing differences with the CSA board over structural changes as his reason for standing down.
CSA chief executive Gerald Majola said that Arthur had wanted to be in charge of appointing his support staff, while the CSA board felt changes were necessary.
“In the past few years, the coach has been able to appoint his own staff but, after speaking to the players, the board felt changes were necessary,” he said.
Majola denied media speculation that Arthur had failed transformation targets in terms of selecting black players.
“Mickey’s resignation is not for any reasons of transformation. As far as we are concerned, he achieved his targets.”
According to the Cape Times, Arthur, whose contract with CSA was set to run until 2012, is set to receive a payout of R4.5-million.
Corrie van Zyl, meanwhile, has been named as the team’s interim coach, with Barnes continuing in his role as bowling coach, and Kepler Wessels joining the management team as the batting coach for the Proteas tour of India.
Van Zyl admits that the timing of his appointment was not ideal, but is confident that the disruption to the team’s preparations for the series against India will be minimal.
Van Zyl and Wessels will also assume the role of selectors, along with Majola, who will be the acting convener.
Courtesy of iafrica.com
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you think this has anything to do with quota systems? And what do you think will eventually be the repercussions of all these changes?
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Arthur resigns – who now for Proteas?
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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