The ‘dynamic new structure‘ revealed by Cricket South Africa on Sunday has left several men without a job.
Ottis Gibson
- The decision to not renew the head coach’s post is the definitive lead. An extended stay for Gibson was always going to be premised on the Proteas’ World Cup campaign. They managed just three wins in nine matches – and finished in seventh position in the 10-team standings. Gibson is reportedly in contention to take over from Trevor Bayliss at England.
Linda Zondi
- The convenor of selectors was appointed in June 2015, after succeeding Andrew Hudson. Zondi arguably overstayed his welcomed – and infamously told Sport24: ‘For me, as a convenor, I will never pick a player based on colour. I will pick a player based on his ability to represent our country. I will never accept mediocrity.’
Malibongwe Maketa
- ‘Members of team management, including the various assistant cricket coaches, will not be retained as part of the forthcoming plan,’ read an excerpt from CSA’s statement. That’s a damning sentence for the assistant coach, who was hired in late 2017.
Claude Henderson
- ‘I have been working with the Proteas and some of the best cricketers in the world for nearly six years,’ states Henderson on Linkedin. The spin bowling coach’s professional profile will require a new entry, while CSA reportedly ponder a consultancy role for Imran Tahir.
Justin Ontong
- The fielding coach joined the Proteas while still a playing member of the Cape Cobras’ squad. Both roles are now over. ‘Obviously, our goal is to be the best fielding team going into the World Cup,’ said Ontong prior to the Proteas’ departure for the global event. They certainly weren’t, especially against India.
Dale Benkenstein
- The batting coach joined the Proteas at the same time as Maketa and Ontong. He had a tough act to follow, after the team had worked with Mike Hussey and Neil McKenzie in the past. Benkenstein’s role was particularly scruitnised after the Test series loss to Sri Lanka earlier this year – and further criticised amid the Proteas’ batting woes witnessed at the World Cup.
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