Kirsten set for SA role as cricket crisis deepens

CAPE TOWN: South African cricket could take another step backward to go forward by enlisting Gary Kirsten to put out some of the fires raging in the game.

Kirsten, who won the 2011 men’s World Cup as India’s coach and took South Africa’s men’s team to the No. 1 Test ranking in 2012, seems set to be brought in as a mentor to Enoch Nkwe, who suffered a 3-0 thrashing in India in October in his first Test series as interim team director.

Nkwe looks likely to stay in the role for the rubber against England starting in Centurion on December 26, and it seems he will have Kirsten’s help. A proposal compiled by some of the game’s elders, among other measures, for Kirsten to be appointed in a mentorship role.

Some of the plan’s authors and supporters are Norman Arendse, Ali Bacher - the former president and managing director of South Africa’s board - the South African Cricketers’ Association, Graeme Smith, and Kirsten. The blueprint was discussed extensively the other day and finalised in time to be presented to the members council - Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) highest authority, which comprises the presidents of the 14 provincial unions and affiliates - for tabling at their meeting that evening. Despite winning widespread support earlier in the day, when it came to the crunch it is believed only Western Province and Gauteng were in favour.