Toyana moving on at the Lions
SWITCH: HE IS TO FOCUS ON FRANCHISE’S YOUNGSTERS
Own Correspondent
Geoffrey Toyana has reflected on what has been a disappointing season for the Highveld Lions, admitting that fine margins were what ultimately left them finishing second last in all three competitions.
The poor campaign has ultimately meant that the 44-yearold will be redeployed as High Performance Coach from the start of next month, with the Johannesburg-based outfit seeking a new man to replace him.
Toyana’s final season at the helm saw the Lions finish bottom of the Sunfoil Series table with just one win, in their final game, all season, while they ended second last in both the T20 Challenge and One-Day Cup campaigns.
“It was a tough season for us,” Toyana says. “I think about how close we were compared to where we actually finished.
“In the T20s we lost games we should have won, it was the same in the One-Day Cup. The season was like that for us. In all the formats where we got close, we were competitive, but just fell short. In the 50-over format we were one win away from the play-offs.
“But that’s what happens when you have a young side, but we should have executed better when we put ourselves into those positions. But I know that we were not far off from winning if you look at the positions we were in.”
Toyana conceded that their final position in the four-day format should have been better considering two big chances they had during the season.
“In the four-day format, the first four games were draws on very good batting wickets,” he explained. “At that stage I took it upon myself to try and make a play. We prepared a green top at the Wanderers against the Titans but unfortunately the result didn’t go our way.”
Toyana, who has been coach of the Lions for the past six seasons, says he was now looking forward to a new chapter in his career.
“I’m moving on now and hopefully the new coach can come in and carry the baton forward,” he added. “I wish him all the best.”