Kepler and Corrie: just the men for SA crisis

Down under, Kepler Wessels was known as chopper. It is doesn't come as a surprise either that he quickly realised how to get ahead it was a case of adapting or failing.

Daily life was all about crisis. And while the present South African is something of a crisis, old hands and former national captains like Wessels are pretty adept at handling such matters. After all, carving out a Test career in a hostile foreign environment such as Australia is tough enough. You learn to grow up fast.

In 2001, when India were battling against South Africa in the second, fractious Test at Port Elizabeth, Wessels' home base and where Mike Denness handed out bans and fines to the Indian players, certain local media were high on adrenaline after the win in Bloemfontein and were suggesting, 'C'mon guys, bring in these Aussies.'

Wessels shook his head. A wise, shrewd and very streetwise player, captain organiser and coach, he suggested that South Africa still had a lot to learn. He is someone from the old school; the tough school and the battle through the ranks in a sport where the English elite thumbed their nose at Afrikans youngsters in sports like cricket. But South Africa needed him to nurse their way back into the international arena.

A stickler for fitness and playing to a plan and strategy, the Wessels formula is a tough one. And while he feels for someone such as Mickey Arthur, who has quit as coach, he also knows just how far Arthur took the side and the vision he had. The sad part is that Arthur's vision differed from that of Cricket South Africa. And here, it became so obvious at the signing out meeting in East London, where Graeme Smith showed there is no animosity at all and the 'irreparable damage and breakdown in communication story' had in fact been a façade by a South African media looking at issues that weren't there.

Sure there was crisis. Getting rid of a coach and the selection panel and revising the whole India tour strategy all in a matter of twenty-four hours needed some tactic approval with Wessels, often a critic of the team and its fitness levels, on board as a selector.

Not surprising he supports Corrie van Zyl as interim coach. They are from the same stable that taught Hansie Cronje how to play the game, Grey College, Bloemfontein, only they would have told the Indian bookie and Saleem Malik where to push his 'Call from John'.

Van Zyl and Wessels didn't play in the same Free State side, but school ties run deep and the man who coached them, the value of the game's honest principles. But once the current tour of India ends, and the ICC World T20 in the West Indies and South Africa's own Caribbean tour is over, Wessels maybe asked to take over the role. Then it would be interesting to see what transpires. Wessels is a tough nut, a genuine fitness king and the sort who would test a guy's midriff to see how much fat he had that needed burning off.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced that Proteas coach Mickey Arthur has resigned with immediate effect and has confirmed CSA High Performance Manager, Corrie van Zyl, as the interim coach. The announcement was made at a media conference in East London on Wednesday, attended by Arthur, CSA CEO Gerald Majola, Proteas captain Graeme Smith, Van Zyl, and Proteas team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee.

It was also announced that as part of the restructuring process, members of the national selection committee have been relieved of their duties and will be replaced by Gerald Majola (Convenor), a former member of the national selection panel, Corrie van Zyl and former Proteas captain, Kepler Wessels.

Addressing the media, Majola said: "It is with much regret that the Board of Directors of Cricket South Africa has accepted Mickey Arthur's resignation as the Proteas' coach.

"His resignation came through the normal stock-taking process which followed the England home series and against the backdrop of the disappointing results of 2009. As this process unfolded and remedies were sought, Mickey expressed the very honest and humble view that he did not believe that at this stage he could continue as coach of the Proteas.

"In the circumstances, he tendered his resignation and it is with much regret that the CSA Board accepted it. The Board wishes to thank Mickey for his great contribution to the advancement of the Proteas to the point where in 2008/09 they had their best season ever and finished on top of the world Test and ODI rankings.

"They have slipped down both logs since then and CSA is determined to get them back to the top. We have accepted Mickey's view that a change at the coaching helm is needed, and we have made this as seamless as possible by bringing in on a caretaker basis the considerable expertise of Corrie van Zyl, who is doing outstanding work as CSA's High Performance Coach.

"Corrie is familiar with the Proteas' culture and has always pursued excellence, both as a player and a coach. We are confident that the new management and the Proteas will go forward from here, as part of CSA's strategy to take the Proteas to the top and keep them there. This starts with the forthcoming tour to India.

"CSA is hopeful that Mickey will find a way to continue to work within our structures in another capacity because of his expertise and his passion for the game."

Elaborating on his decision to resign, Arthur told the media conference: "I have decided to resign as national coach of the Proteas with immediate effect as I feel that it is in the best interests both of me and of the team.

"Differences of approach on how to get the Proteas back to the top of world cricket have arisen between the Board of Cricket South Africa and me and I don't believe I can take the team forward under the present circumstances. There comes a time when you have to move on and I know in my own heart that I have taken the right decision.

"It is never a bad thing to have a fresh pair of legs running the show and I wish my successor all the best in his endeavours.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my five years with Cricket South Africa and I feel that we as a team have enjoyed considerable success, including being the No. 1 ranked team in the world for a period of time in both Test cricket and the limited overs formats.

"It is common cause that the year, 2008, was the finest in the history of South African cricket either before or since unity when we went unbeaten in Test series in three tough away tours to India, England and Australia in the space of nine months. This is an achievement almost without parallel in the history of our great game.

"To be part of the series-winning world record 438 game against Australia was also a memorable moment.

"In conclusion I would like to wish Corrie, Graeme and the team all the best for the future and particularly for the forthcoming tour of India. I believe we have put the foundation in place for the Proteas to continue as a major force in world cricket."

The Proteas leave for their tour of India on Saturday to play two Test matches and three one-day internationals against the hosts.