Cricket South Africa chief executive officer Gerald Majola on Saturday announced a
wide-ranging strategic plan to prepare the Proteas for the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies beginning in March.
Majola said in a statement that the preparation plan included:
- The selection of a 25-man squad to undergo specialised training and coaching
- A 16-man squad to play in the emerging players tournament in Australia in July
- The addition of Jonty Rhodes as a specialist ODI coach to the Proteas management team until after the Cricket World Cup
- The utilisation of five upcoming international tournaments to forge the final World Cup squad of 15 players
- The appointment of an executive committee to oversee the strategic plan that will include the involvement of all relevant stakeholders
Majola said: ”This strategic plan is aimed at leaving no stone unturned in order the give the Proteas the very best preparation available.
”We have appointed an executive committee comprising Haroon Lorgat [convenor of selectors], Mickey Arthur [coach], Graeme Smith [captain], Vince van der Bijl [professional cricket general manager] and myself as CSA CEO.
”Our job will be to see that all relevant stakeholders, including specialist coaches and ground staff, are involved to bring a single-minded focus on preparing players who are potential final squad members.
”We will be using all the expertise at our disposal in this plan. For instance, we have added Jonty Rhodes to the Proteas management team as an ODI specialist from now until after the World Cup”.
Majola said a squad of 25 players had been chosen and each will receive individual training programmes from Adrian le Roux.
”It must be stressed that the final World Cup squad of 15 will not necessarily be picked from these players only.
”We have also chosen a 16-man squad to take part in the 2006 emerging player tournament in Australia in July, involving India, Australia and New Zealand.
”The national selection panel selected players with high potential to play at international level, and the squad includes both experienced and young players.”
Majola said that the new thinktank would also plan around the upcoming five international tournaments to prepare for the Cricket World Cup.
These tournaments are: emerging players to Australia in July, SA to Sri Lanka in August, the ICC Champions Trophy in India in October, India to SA in November, Pakistan to SA in January 2007 and then the Cricket World Cup in the West Indies in March 2007.
Majola said that coach Mickey Arthur would also head up a specialist cricket committee to plan tactics and strategies. This committee will begin their meetings next month.
”We have been working closely with the national selectors, the high performance programme and the national squad and this team work is going to intensify even further”.
Haroon Lorgat, convenor of selectors, said: ”Careful planning and early preparations will enhance our chances of success at the 2007 World Cup.
”The squad of 25 will start their programme with active rest, off-season and then pre-season training as designed by our trainer, Adrian le Roux.
”Each of these players will have a specific programme that suits their individual circumstances.
”The emerging players’ tour will boost the development and readiness of our peripheral players to compete at international level”. – AFP
