Zaahier Adams
Cricket South Africa (CSA) director of cricket Enoch Nkwe believes the Proteas Women’s campaign at the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates will not be derailed due to the side not having a full-time head coach.
CSA has yet to replace Hilton Moreeng, who guided the team to a first T20 World Cup final last year, after the long-serving coach vacated his post back in April to take on a new role in the US.
At the time Nkwe indicated that “the process of recruiting for a new coach is already under way” with former bowling coach Dillon du Preez appointed on a temporary basis. Du Preez oversaw the tour to India, where the Proteas were swept 3-0 in the ODI series and lost the one-off Test, but hit back to level the T20 series 1-1.
The former Free State fast bowler will, however, remain in charge for the coming three-match T20 series against Pakistan and the T20 World Cup in the UAE next month as Cricket SA has yet to conclude negotiations for the appointment of a permanent head coach.
Nkwe has, though, confirmed to Independent Newspapers that a deadline of November 1 has been set for the new head coach to be in place, ahead of the home series against England.
“Yes, we have gone internally with Dillon. The players have got used to how he works and certain blueprints that have been working, they have carried through with that, which has been good for the environment,” Nkwe said.
“Speaking to the captain (Laura Wolvaardt), it is no issue. She has been given the space to lead. There are a couple of other players around her that are helping out as well.
“And having spent the entire week in camp last week, engaging with players and understanding how everything is working in the environment, how players are responding, they do understand the process.
“We’ve gone the headhunting route to identify one, two or three (coaches) that we can take through the screening internally, and then we will have the final interviews.
“I made it clear to them (players) at the camp, (the need) to ensure that when the new coach comes in after the World Cup, we’ve moved the environment to a certain level, which will make it a lot easier for the coach to fit in with the culture and the playing philosophy. Coaches come and go, but the team obviously needs to carry through the blueprint going forward.”
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Catch the red carpet live on the CSA Youtube Channel.
🗓 5th September
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The Proteas will be hard-pressed to repeat their performance of last year when they finished as runners-up to perennial champions Australia in a pulsating final at a sold-out Newlands.
Wolvaardt’s side no longer has the luxury of calling on speedster Shabnim Ismail, which has left the team without a premier strike bowler.
They have tried to make up for the loss by calling up youngsters Ayanda Hlubi and uncapped leg-spinner Seshnie Naidu to hopefully bring some of the ‘X-factor’ to the T20 World Cup.
Nkwe feels that despite Ismail’s absence, the team is capable of going all the way.
“The team is transitioning, but what is exciting is the energy I felt at camp. That gives me a lot of hope. Going into the World Cup, that is positive. The cohesion in the team is superb,” he said.
“They are all pulling in the same direction. It feels that after making the final they have almost created a new DNA for themselves.”