Gobind off to PE as assistant coach of the Warriors

Patrick Compton

FORMER Dolphins’ player and coach, Rivash Gobind, has been appointed assistant coach at the Warriors.

Gobind, 34, who worked as Lance Klusener’s assistant at Kingsmead from 2012 until Klusener’s contract was not extended at the end of last season, begins a three-year contract in Port Elizabeth next month.

He will work with current head coach Malibongwe Maketa.

“It’s sad to leave Durban; it’s been a big part of my cricketing life ever since I attended the academy here as a 13-yearold, the former Effingham Secondary schoolboy said.

Altogether the opening batsman played 45 first-class matches for the Dolphins and 38 List A (limited-overs) games, averaging 32.60 in the former and 31.81 in the latter.

His greatest honour as a player came when he was appointed captain of the South Africa U19 team to tour New Zealand in 2001.

Also in the team were Stephen Cook, Hashim Amla and Imraan Khan.

“That tour really opened our eyes to the high standards of international cricket,” he said.

Gobind’s first major appointment behind the scenes came in 2009 when former South Africa and Dolphins coach Graham Ford made him an analyst in his coaching setup.

Then he formed a good partnership with Lance Klusener as the pair took the Dolphins to their first piece of silverware in a decade when they won the Ram Slam T20 Challenge trophy in 2013/14.

Gobind’s career at Kingsmead stalled when Klusener’s contract was not extended by the KZN Cricket Union last season, with Grant Morgan taking over.

“It made sense to accept the Warriors’ offer because they have given me a good career opportunity,” said Gobind this week.

“I would like to thank KZN Cricket, and in particular (former chief executive) Jesse Chellan, Graham Ford and Lance for the opportunities I have had in Durban.”