Gary Kirsten is the Proteas’ new coach, with AB de Villiers as the new One Day International (ODI) and T20 captain, and Hashim Amla as his deputy.
Cricket South Africa’s chief executive Gerald Majola announced the appointments at a press conference in Johannesburg on Monday.
It was widely expected that Kirsten would fill the role as head coach. Various publications had been carrying the news since Saturday. He will be assisted by fast-bowling legend Allan Donald and former Warriors’ coach, Russell Domingo.
Wicketkeeper and batsman, De Villiers (27) takes over the reins from Graeme Smith, who had previously stated he would step down as captain of the ODI side immediately after the World Cup. Smith remains captain of the Test team.
De Villiers, from Pretoria, made his ODI debut against England in February 2005. He has since played 119 matches, averaging 45.68 runs, with 11 centuries under his belt.
He has kept wicket in 29 matches but has yet to captain the side.
As an established and respected team member, De Villiers has the advantage of being a certain selection in all versions of the game, and is young enough to be around for many years to come.
Passage through India
Kirsten, who was born in Cape Town and played 101 Tests for South Africa, accumulating 7 289 runs, recently returned from a three-year stint as coach of the Indian cricket team.
During his tenure on the subcontinent, he not only helped India lift the 2011 World Cup trophy, but steered them to the number one spot in the Test rankings and moved them up to second position on the ODI log.
The 43-year-old, known for his calm and patience as an opening batsman, was a big hit in India. Players expressed their deep regret when he decided to return to South Africa to spend more time with his family.
Lightning strikes
Donald, known as “White Lightning” to his fans, had also been in demand overseas, recently coaching the New Zealand’s bowlers for the duration of the World Cup. He was reportedly on the verge of renewing his contract with the Black Caps before CSA’s offer came his way.
In playing 72 Tests and 164 ODIs for South Africa, the 44-year-old from Bloemfontein was the first South African to achieve the milestone 300 Test wickets, ending his career with a tally of 330, and bagging 272 ODI scalps along the way.
He retired from international cricket in 2003 after the Proteas, as hosts, were prematurely knocked out the World Cup, but he continued to enjoy lengthy spells as Warwickshire’s overseas professional and spent time as the England bowling coach in 2007.
Once was Warriors’
Domingo emerged as an outstanding young coach, progressing through CSA’s own coaching structure. He enjoyed success as the Warriors’ coach for four seasons and guided the Eastern Cape franchise side to both the MTN40 and Standard Bank Pro20 titles in 2009/2010.
He was named Domestic Coach of the Year in 2010 and more recently coached the SA A side in both home and away series against Bangladesh A.
South Africa take on Australia and Sri Lanka, at home, later in the year, giving the new coaching unit and the ODI captain plenty of time to acclimatise.
The international season starts on October 13 when the Proteas face the Aussies at Newlands, Cape Town, in the first of two Twenty/20 matches, followed by the first ODI of the tour at Centurion on October 19. — Sapa