Smith: I didn’t have confidence in CSA

● Acting Proteas director of cricket Graeme Smith took a veiled swipe at suspended Cricket SA CEO Thabang Moroe yesterday. The former Test captain said he did not have any confidence in the previous executive.

Moroe was suspended by the organisation last week. The reason given was misconduct. Titans CEO Jacques Faul has taken over in an acting capacity.

Smith had initially said he was part of the process before withdrawing, citing a lack of confidence in the leadership.

“To be honest, I didn’t have a lot of confidence in CSA’s management.

“With such an extensive job description, I made the communication clear that you couldn’t achieve in this role with the leadership that was there at the time,” Smith said.

“You need a really robust CSA to challenge each other. You need trust and to have an environment that is ready for that.

“I didn’t feel the environment was ready before I took this current job because if I want to come in, I need to be able to do the best and I feel that’s slightly better now. The opportunity is there and I have a lot of confidence in Jacques as the CEO. The other thing is commercial because he can turn things around. That’s a big thing.”

Smith said the permanent appointments of Mark Boucher as team director and Enoch Nkwe as his assistant until the end of the 2023 Cricket World Cup were in the best interests of the national team.

Linda Zondi rejoined the team as national convener of selectors on a temporary basis. Justin Ontong will stay as the fielding coach while the rest of the administrative, media and logistical staff were retained.

While Boucher’s qualifications (a CSA level 2 certificate) have always been a subject of scrutiny, he’s won five trophies across all formats with the Titans since he joined the team in August 2016.

Nkwe, whose playing career with the Highveld Lions was cut short by injury, has done the coaching rounds. With the Highveld Lions last season he won the first-class championship and the T20 title. With the Jozi Stars he won the inaugural Mzansi Super League T20 title to complete a treble in his first season as the team’s coach.

Ashwell Prince will coach the SA A team to play England in a three-day match at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, Friday to Sunday.

The Test team will again be captained by Faf du Plessis. The SA A team will be named tomorrow. Du Plessis, Zondi, Boucher and Nkwe will be the selectors.

“I felt the Proteas need a hardened and experienced international guy. I feel from a cricket perspective that Mark is very knowledgeable,” said Smith.

He said he was aware of the transformation component that came with his position.

“I’m very aware of transformation. I led my country for 11 years and I had to be a part of managing those processes. A number of discussions need to happen.

I led my country and I had to be part of managing transformation Graeme Smith

Acting Proteas director of cricket