South Africa coach Ray Jennings basked in the glory of his team’s 5-0 series sweep of the West Indies on Sunday, sending a message to his bosses back home: retain him as coach.
There have been rumours that the 50-year-old Jennings will be replaced after the West Indies tour by Mickey Arthur, who coaches the Eastern Cape Warriors.
Jennings, however, refused to be drawn into the debate.
”I’ve only heard the rumours. That’s speculation,” Jennings said after Sunday’s final match in Trinidad.
”I think all coaches around the world will tell you when you perform poorly and you lose, you get sacked. I’d like to believe I performed well and my results speak for themselves. I’d like to believe I can retain my position.”
Jennings, a former national team wicketkeeper, has presided over his team’s run of 14 one-dayers without defeat. His record since he joined as interim coach in October is 12-1-1 with one no result in 15 matches.
His Test record, following the 2-0 win in the recently-concluded series away to the West Indies, is five wins against three losses and five draws.
”I’ve achieved all my goals which I set six to seven months ago,” Jennings said.
”I’m very happy and proud to be where we are at the moment. No matter what side you play, even at home, it’s difficult to get a whitewash. To come away to any country in the world and get a whitewash is really an exceptional performance. The
team is starting to gel. The individuals are starting to come through. We’ve got the right players in the right areas. The intensity and passion is there also.” – Sapa-AP