Former captain Shaun Pollock has implored Cricket South Africa to fill the vacant director of cricket position soon.

Former coach Corrie van Zyl currently holds the post in an acting capacity, but is suspended. Former captain Graeme Smith was interviewed for the position, but later withdrew interest.

The role was introduced after the Proteas 2019 World Cup campaign in the United Kingdom, which yielded three victories, a washout and five defeats. Former coach Ottis Gibson’s tenure was consequently not extended and a team director role introduced.

‘The sooner you pick the director of cricket, the better,’ IOL quoted Pollock as saying.

‘I must admit when Graeme said he was applying, I think you have to do it with the understanding of SA cricket and the sensitivity of some of the issues in SA cricket like diversity and the way things work.

‘If you’re going to apply and expect things to change, that’s being a bit ambitious on certain aspects.’

The Proteas will host England for a Test series later this year. The hosts will be without fast bowler Dale Steyn and batsman Hashim Amla, who retired from the longest format of the international game earlier this year.

‘From a team perspective, you’ve got three big players that have retired – AB de Villiers, Hashim and Dale. So, the rebuilding process is going to be difficult. You need the players to be helped to step up. Their skills need to improve to fill the void left by those guys,’ added Pollock.

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