Changes work for South Africa

DRASTIC structural changes in South African cricket over the last month contributed significantly to the Test side turning around their fortunes and starting the four-match series against England with a win, says captain Faf du Plessis.

The hosts ended a run of five straight Test defeats with a 107-run win over England at Centurion Park on Sunday and the skipper hailed the new coaching structures and fresh personnel in Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) administration.

“Now we can trust the system a little bit more and just focus on playing cricket,” said Du Plessis.

“There is a lot more confidence in the structures, going from the top down.

“Obviously there were plans in place before, but right now I feel there are better plans in place.

“We have got the right people in the right jobs, we’ve got the right people at the top of Cricket South Africa, which is really important.”

CSA suspended chief executive Thabang Moroe on Dec 6 following allegations of misconduct and just hours after their major sponsor said it would not renew its contract in protest at poor governance in the organisation.

Former captain Graeme Smith was appointed acting director of cricket five days later and he quickly chose ex-team mates Mark Boucher as coach and Jacques Kallis as batting consultant.

“Leadership always comes from the top and filters down and so I feel like, by starting that, it sets the tone for the way that we are playing now,” Du Plessis added.

“You have to put those things in place for the things underneath to work in your favour.” – Reuters