Lance Klusener to be South Africa's lower-order coach
In a unique and rarely seen before development, South Africa have appointed former all-rounder Lance Klusener as their lower-order batting coach. Klusener, who scored all of his four Test hundreds batting in the lower-order, has been roped in to help the South African tail overcome its recent batting woes that were evident during the recent tour to India, as well as in their domestic season.
The former left-hander would be joining the team ahead of the first Test against England that starts on December 26 at Kingsmead, Durban. Klusener got two of his four Test hundreds batting at No. 7 and No. 9 including his best score of 174 against England at Port Elizabeth, and the other two at No. 6 after he was promoted up the order and is currently coaching one of the domestic franchises, the Durban-based Dolphins, as well.
Russell Domingo, South Africa's coach said, “We see our lower order as being potentially an area we need to work on. I don't think we are blessed with the all-rounders of the past. We used to have Klusener batting at No.8, Pollock at No.9 and Nicky Boje at No.10. Now, our tail is a little bit exposed.
"His particular role will be to work with our lower order batters and also to give our lower order a sense of purpose and a sense of direction."
Not worried about the Top-order, says coach Domingo
Despite this innovative move, the real problem lies in the top order for South Africa, where batsmen like Dean Elgar, Stiaan van Zyl, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis haven’t been able to score on and cope up with the spinning tracks in India, that has essentially dented a massive hole in their confidence.
The coach, however, isn’t worried about it and is of the opinion that there is quality in the line-up and they are just one good innings away from form. "We've got some serious quality in our batting line-up.
“We know it's all about runs and putting in big performances, but we know it's one big score away, one good start or one dropped catch and somebody can get a bit of luck and a bit of momentum going and everything will click back into place," he said.
"We are very confident that the group we've got are the best players in the country."
Youngsters will have to be consistent
Domingo was also of the opinion that the players knocking on the doors of the national side will have to prove their mettle further by being consistent, as he believes that consistency is of utmost importance at the top level.
“We sort of know who the peripheral players are but consistency is the most important thing. A hundred now and then low scores for seven or eight games is not what's required to play international cricket; you really need to bang the door down.”
“Averages of 35 or 27 or 32 are not going to guarantee you any better performances than what we've got from our current group," said the coach.
With that being said, players like Stephen Cook, who was the leading run-scorer in first-class cricket last season and is a specialist opening batsman, and the centurion from past weekend Heino Kuhn, who is both, an opening batsman, as well as a wicket-keeper will have to wait even longer while SA experiment with Van Zyl as an opener, AB de Villiers as a wicket-keeper, and Temba Bavuma as a middle-order batsman.
Forgetting the India tour
It might sound over-simplified for now, but the Proteas coach has the exact same thing in his mind as he wants his side to forget about what happened in India, focus on the fundamentals of the game, and try to get back on track.
"As far as I am concerned, I want to write India off. It was a very tough tour for us and we've got to move on from it," he said.
"When sides are under a bit of pressure or not playing as well as you can, do the basics right. That's going to be the most important thing. We can't be too funky, we can't be too clever, we can't be too innovative."
South Africa begin their home summer with a Boxing Day clash against England at Kingsmead, Durban, followed by three more Tests, five ODIs and two T20Is, in a full tour stretching up to February 21.