Structural changes work wonders for S African cricket

‘There is a lot more confidence in the structures, going from the top down’

An injection of fresh blood often goes a long way in revitalising an organisation stuck in the past. Although the South African cricket set-up realised it a tad late, the changes it brought about recently have already started working wonders.

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.

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 Faf du Plessis whailed 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-teammates Mark Boucher as coach and Jacques Kallis as batting consultant.

Enoch Nkwe, who as acting coach took the team on a three-Test tour to India in November where they were soundly thrashed, stayed on as assistant coach.

“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.”

South Africa’s Test side have struggled since iconic players like Smith, Boucher, Kallis, Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn retired but also have had to deal with the tricky issue of balancing team selection with the need for racial transformation.

Off the field CSA clashed with the powerful Indian cricket board (BCCI), who had a testy relationship with previous CSA CEO Haroon Lorgat, and lost millions when India reduced the number of moneyspinning matches they played in South Africa.

More recently, the botched launch of a Twenty20 league also hit CSA’s coffers hard and they are still at loggerheads with the players’ association, who are demanding that the entire CSA executive resign.

But with legends such as Smith, Boucher and Kallis at the helm now, there’s hope for the country. Perennial under-achievers in cricket — they are yet to win a single ICC tournament at senior level — South African cricket finally seems to be on the right track.