Smith out/Kirsten in?

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Didn't see this coming.

Not surprised in some way - I mean, how long's he done it? 8 years? It's a long time. It can only do him good. He must be knackered. He was a cautious captain anyway, it will do SA good to have a bit of a shake up whilst they're just about on top of the tree. As for Kirsten, SA are well drilled, they need less coaching than most other teams.

Happy about Kirsten, but not sure AB is the man for the job.

Did Red's Smithalert break down?

amla becoming captain would be quite a milestone for south african cricket. who would have thought it 25 years ago

Unlikely Amla will get the job. The sponsors would be miffed.

Overlooking AB would be harsh though.

Smith calls press conference for tomorrow. Here

If AB is going to get the T20 and T50 gigs I would expect him to get the test job as well.

Wow, so first Drunky, then Dan the man, now Smiffy. Strauss next? I thought only subcontinental teams changed their captains like underpants.

Skulls, most of those have been in place for some time.

Which those?

skully wrote:Wow, so first Drunky, then Dan the man, now Smiffy. Strauss next? I thought only subcontinental teams changed their captains like underpants.

we all look the same, innit

Do you? I can easily tell my Bannie mates apart, even though they do all talk over one another like jibbering monkeys in meetings.

skully wrote:Wow, so first Drunky, then Dan the man, now Smiffy. Strauss next? I thought only subcontinental teams changed their captains like underpants.

Guess Dhoni will become the longest serving current Test captain then. I think every other country has made a change in the last couple of years...

Okay's it's official. Smith is gone.

Get reddy for some gushing...

taipan wrote:Okay's it's official. Smith is gone.

Not according to this.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Proteas/Graeme-Smith-says-sorry-stays-skipper-20110605

sounds like Donald is coming back to be bowling coach, as he has turned down NZ's offer

Nath wrote:sounds like Donald is coming back to be bowling coach, as he has turned down NZ's offer

Apparently Kirsten/Donald will be a partnership. It's the first time AD has worked officially for SA cricket. Interesting to see how he goes as his coaching career seems to be a bit chequered. Great players don't always make great coaches.

The interesting aspect to this whole Sooky saga is how volatile the SA fans seem to be. I doubt the Aussie public would have given a fig had Punter gone to the Maldives after the WC failed campaign or not. Maybe our successful history at the event changes things. But the SA public seems to think it's their divine right to ridicule their players if they don't win. Given it was their off-season straight after the event, it's hard to see why they were expected to return home to account for their loss. I notice that AB was also chastised for holidaying in Namibia en route to SA.

De Villiers has never struck me as Captaincy material. Seems too much like 'one of the lads' to me. Amla would be the best choice, imo.

AD is a legend. He'll do a great job as bowling coach.

Donald immediately added 10kph to Tim Southee's bowling when he was working with NZ.

Henry wrote:De Villiers has never struck me as Captaincy material. Seems too much like 'one of the lads' to me. Amla would be the best choice, imo.

According to reports I've read over the past few years, he's a reluctant skipper.

Steyn and Morkel have had the same coach (Barnes) for years, so it will be interesting to see if Donald makes a difference.

Well considering Steyn's record in particular, why would AD NEED to make a difference?

He'll help the very inconsistent Morkel and the very promising Parnell though. Easily the scariest attack in world cricket.