"In other countries, the axe would have already fallen" - Herschelle Gibbs slams Rob Walter's coaching skills after IND vs SA 2024 T20 series loss
Former South Africa batter Herschelle Gibbs believes Rob Walter's position as the national team's white-ball coach is untenable following a comprehensive T20I series loss to Team India. The retired cricketer underlined that South Africa's skills don't seem to be improving under the current coach.
Although 49-year-old Walter lifted the Proteas to the T20 World Cup final this year, their performance in the bilateral series has been going down. Under the veteran, the men's team has lost five out of the last seven T20I series, headlined by 16 losses and four wins. The two-game series against Ireland also resulted in a 1-1 draw. The four-game series against India saw South Africa lose 3-1, including heavy defeats in Durban and Johannesburg.
Speaking to the South African newspaper Rapport, Gibbs lamented the lack of plan B in the bowling department, claiming that they bring in the yorkers quite late in the game. The 50-year-old also pointed out Aiden Markram's struggles and Reeza Hendricks' limitations in the powerplay.
He said (via SA Cricket Mag):
"Walter’s departure must be close. In other countries, the axe would have already fallen. Our skills haven’t improved under him. Our bowling is one-dimensional. If plan A doesn’t work, you have to have a plan B. We don’t have that plan. Australia use the yorker early rather than a late option."
"But we refuse to do that. It has to be asked whether there is a need for fresh, younger faces in the top order. Reeza Hendricks’ hitting game is very limited in the power play. And Aiden Markram has been struggling for some time," he added.
Markram had a hugely disappointing series against India, registering scores of 8, 3, 29, and 8, throwing away promising starts.
"Walter’s management skills are so poor that he cannot get the best out of the players" - Johan van der Wath
Former Proteas all-rounder Johan van der Wath has criticized Bob Walter for giving 'lame excuses' for wanting to give exposure to the youngsters by resting the first-choice players. Van der Wath told Rapport (via SA Cricket Mag):
"Walter’s management skills are so poor that he cannot get the best out of the players. He must start coming under intense pressure, because the problem lies with him. Walter hides behind the fact that he wants to give exposure to more players and consequently doesn’t give Kagiso Rabada, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and your other best players a chance to play regularly. It’s a lame excuse."
South Africa will turn their attention to the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, beginning on November 27 in Durban.