What SA Cricket Needs Now
New cricket coach, Corrie van Zyl is under pressure to fill Mickey Arthur's shoes.
Van Zyl has taken over from Mickey Arthur with the pressures of filling his shoes, so how does van Zyl intend to handle the South African team?
In the early 1990s, Corrie van Zyl and Mickey Arthur both played for Free State and both became cricket coaches after their playing days.
Arthur coached the relatively small province of Griqualand West, while van Zyl was the assistant to three national coaches. In 2005, roles reversed – almost.
Arthur was appointed national coach while van Zyl had already left the South African set up to go back to his roots.
“I went back to the Free State and coached the Eagles from the beginning of the franchise system (2004-05) until last season,” van Zyl said.
He won six titles while in charge and had his eye on the country’s top coaching job. “I was hoping to take over from Mickey at some stage.” On Tuesday this week, van Zyl got his wish.
“I would have wanted it to do it under different circumstances and would have preferred it if it was on Mickey’s own terms,” van Zyl said. “But this is the last time I will speak about how tough it is to take over at such short notice.”
Van Zyl’s Coaching Style
Although van Zyl has been appointed in interim capacity for the tour to India, he wants to use the opportunity to stamp his coaching style on the national side.
His biggest rule is discipline. “I believe in team culture. The team must look after discipline and if they can’t then it becomes my responsibility. I will not pass the buck on that.”
While the South African team is an outfit that’s well known for its professionalism, van Zyl has promised to intensify this trait within the team.
Sarel Cilliers, who took over the coaching of the Eagles when van Zyl ended his tenure at the end of the 2008-09 season, confirmed that van Zyl’s style may take the South Africans by surprise. “He is very disciplined, has a great work ethic and intense knowledge of the game. He will not compromise at all when it comes to preparation and brings a lot of structure to the team.”
A calming influence is certainly necessary for South Africa, especially considering recent events.
Van Zyl said he wants every member of the team to feel at ease.
Van Zyl told Cricinfo he hadn’t had the time to think about any other strategies ahead of the India tour, but would be using the next few days to focus on that.
According to Cilliers, van Zyl’s plans are likely to involve every member of the team. “He will be good for the experienced players, because he will give them the freedom to do their thing and he will also play a strong mentoring role for the younger guys.” Van Zyl is known for his ability to work with junior players.
Prior to his appointment as interim coach of the national side, he was in charge of the High Performance Program and had the responsibility of identifying and training potential international players.
Van Zyl will not rule out accepting the job of South African coach permanently. “Any coach that is worth his salt would want to coach at national level. I would be foolish to turn it down.”
Courtesy of Cricinfo
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you think this is what the SA cricket team need now? Will his coaching style work?
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