In a dramatic 24 hours for South African cricket, respected Proteas head coach Gary Kirsten yesterday announced he was stepping down due to family commitments and Cricket SA (CSA) is set to unveil his successor, believed to be assistant coach Russell Domingo, today.
Kirsten’s resignation – due to come into effect at the end of August – caught everyone flat-footed, but the ripples had scarcely died down before CSA announced that the new head coach would be announced at OR Tambo airport in Joburg this morning.
In a brief statement issued just after 7pm yesterday, CSA called a media briefing for today to “announce the appointment of the head national coach to succeed Gary Kirsten” and all indications are that Domingo will be the man to take over the reins.
Domingo was appointed as one of two assistant coaches (the other is former Proteas fast bowler Allan Donald) to Kirsten in 2011 before making the step up to head coach of the South African T20 side last year when Kirsten first hinted at the impact the heavy workload was having on his family life.
At a press conference at OR Tambo yesterday, Kirsten spoke of his inner torment at leaving behind his young family for long stretches while on international duty with the Proteas.
“I have been on the road for a long time now and have missed out on quality family time. I have three daughters all under the age of 10 and I want to be there to see them grow up,” Kirsten said.
“Last year I was away from my family for 250 days in the year. I was only home for five weeks and I was absent as a father and husband when my family needed me most.”
Kirsten was appointed in August 2011 for a two-year period, with the option to renew his contract for a further two years, an option he declined to exercise.
“I thought long and hard about my decision, trust me it wasn’t easy,’ said Kirsten.
The 50-over Champions Trophy tournament in England next month will be his last assignment with the South Africa side, which he led to the top of the Test rankings.
Kirsten said he simply could no longer cope with the lengthy separations from his family while on the road with the Proteas and looked forward to being a father again.
“My wife was actually quite surprised when I told her that I would be quitting,” Kirsten laughed.
“She actually didn’t believe me. I just felt it was time that I put all my focus in to looking after my family.
“Many people sacrifice their family for their dream jobs; I don’t want to be a statistic.”
He indicated that the burden of head coach had been weighing heavily for some time.
“We could go back 18 months ago, but I had responsibilities,” Kirsten explained.
“I had signed a two-year contract and I needed to honour that. Regardless of the difficulties I might have been experiencing as an individual and within my family context, I felt it important to honour that contract.”
A former Proteas opening batsman, Kirsten made his mark as an international coach when he withstood tremendous public pressure and expectation to lead India to a memorable win in the World Cup on home soil in 2011, following which he was appointed as Proteas head coach.
Under his guidance South Africa became the dominant force in Test cricket, sealing series wins away to old foes England and Australia, while the limited overs sides underwent a radical overhaul in personnel which led to some patchy displays.
The Proteas lost only two of the 19 Test matches they played during Kirsten’s tenure as coach, securing series victories over Sri Lanka, New Zealand, England, Australia and Pakistan.
Over the same period, South Africa won 13 of 24 one-day internationals and half of their 18 T20 games and were eliminated in the second round of group-stage matches at last year’s World T20 tournament in Sri Lanka.
Kirsten said he leaves the role as Proteas coach as a happy and fulfilled man.
“My goal was to improve the team and I felt I played a part in moving them forward so I am very pleased.
“With the strength of senior players which we’ve got in our team and with a smooth transition, there is no reason that they won’t continue to have high performances,” he added.
Part of that smooth transition should see Domingo step into the hot seat, having served as Warriors head coach for much of the franchise side’s most successful period when they dominated the local cricket scene before his elevation as one of Kirsten’s assistant coaches.
The Proteas tour Sri Lanka in July and August, and Pakistan in November, before they play home tours against India and Australia next season. - Saturday Star