South African cricket coach Ray Jennings said on Tuesday that he will apply for the position of coach if the players want him to.
The position of coach is to be advertised later this week. Jennings was originally appointed on a short-term basis, until after the tour of the West Indies in March.
Jennings said he believes he has made a mark on the team since taking over as coach before the tour to India last year.
”There’s definitely a greater mental toughness. As far as fielding is concerned, we’re becoming one of the best fielding sides in the world. The guys have worked hard and it’s starting to show. I like to believe that the powers that be will have a look at what I’ve done.”
He said he does not know what the authorities will be looking at when it comes to appointing the new coach.
”If it’s just results, maybe they should just have left the selection to me, like a football manager. But if I can walk away from my job knowing that I’ve had an impact on the players’ lives and an impact on their thought processes and their mental toughness, then I’ll be happy.”
Jennings said he thinks the players need a leader they can trust, and that they can follow.
”I believe I’ve got a formula that’s worked in my life — in business as well as in sport — and I’m sincere and honest, and I do a good day’s work. I’ve felt from early on that the players bought into my thought patterns. It’s all part of a building process. If you come hard too quickly, you’ll find the players will resist. It’s an ongoing culture.
”It’s not about bringing new information to the side — it’s about getting the players to understand that it’s all about respect and working as a unit. I’ll talk to the players, and if they want to follow me, I’ll apply for the job.”
He said that he and the captain, Graeme Smith, have an enjoyable relationship.
”He’s young and exciting. He’s got different ways, but I’m very happy to work with a man who is passionate about what he wants to achieve, and who works as hard as he does. I do challenge him, and he challenges me. I think that hardness from him to me, and from me to him, is important. If no one’s hard on me, I stop thinking, and the same goes for him.”
It was reported in the English media that Smith had suggested that he would like the former Australian captain, Steve Waugh, to be appointed as coach.
However, the United Cricket Board’s media manager, Gerald de Kock, said he does not know where that report came from.
”Steve Waugh’s agent apparently said that if Waugh was approached, he would consider applying for the position,” said De Kock. ”But so far, no one has approached him, and I’m not sure where the story that Graeme wanted him came from.”
Meanwhile, England coach Duncan Fletcher dismissed speculation that he might apply for the position of South African coach.
”It’s just paper talk,” he said. ”No one has spoken to me about it, and I’m the England coach. England have been very good to me, the England cricket team have been very good to me and as far as I’m concerned, I’m with England.
”I’m very happy to be with England, and I’ll be very happy to win this one-day series.” — Sapa