The recent upturn in fortunes for the Proteas has had another positive spin-off as coach Russell Domingo has had his contract extended for a few more months.
Cricket South Africa announced on Wednesday that Domingo, along with team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee, will remain in their positions at least until the end of next year’s England tour in August.
Their contracts were initially set to expire in April 2017, but they will continue to serve the national team, with CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat stating that “this decision is final and is not dependent on the National Team Review, which is currently in progress”.
The review into the state of the national teams was suspended in June after the independent panel appointed – Adam Bacher, Francois Pienaar, Ross Tucker and chairperson Dawn Mokhobo – could not agree on time-frames to conduct the review.
But things have improved significantly in recent months following a poor showing in the ODI triangular tournament in the Caribbean in June and July.
Since then, South Africa have beaten New Zealand 1-0 in a two-Test series in August (the first match at Kingsmead was affected by rain), and became the first side to whitewash Australia 5-0 in a one-day series.
So the Proteas are on an upward curve again, with Domingo having introduced a number of new talents in recent weeks as well, like Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, and the return to form of Rilee Rossouw and David Miller. And they have succeeded without the services of injured captain AB de Villiers.
“As part of the domestic cricket review, we are currently evaluating the entire coaching framework in South Africa and the board believed the best approach at present was to extend the tenure of Mr Domingo until the end of the England tour in 2017,” Lorgat said.
“Naturally the performances of the Proteas was a key factor in the board’s unanimous decision. The recent 1-0 Test series win against New Zealand and the impressive 5-0 win in the ODI series against world champions Australia, resulting in us being the first nation to achieve a clean sweep against them, were noted.
“In addition, the excellent Proteas discipline and the positive culture throughout the coaching team, the player leadership group and the rest of the players were viewed as exemplary.”
The Proteas’ first tour match in England next year starts on May 19, with the fourth and final Test at Old Trafford in Manchester taking place from August 4-8.
But before that, the current focus is on the Australian tour, and the Test series kicks off on November 3 at the Waca in Perth.
That trip will be followed by a home Test and limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, and then they travel to New Zealand to play in all three formats during February and March.
2017 Proteas Fixtures vs England
Wednesday, May 24: First ODI (day-night), Headingley, Leeds
Saturday, May 27: Second ODI, Rose Bowl, Southampton
Monday, May 29: Third ODI, Lord’s, London
June 1-19: ICC Champions Trophy
Wednesday, June 21: First T20, Rose Bowl, Southampton
Friday, June 23: Second T20, Taunton, Somerset
Sunday, June 25: Third T20, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
July 6-10: First Test, Lord’s, London
July 14-18: Second Test, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
July 27-31: Third Test, The Oval, London
August 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford, Manchester
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