‘All is not well’ with Proteas ahead of Pakistan tour

A sense of mayhem and dysfunctionality hovers over the women’s Proteas team on the eve of its departure for Pakistan, with no captain named, and an interim coach in charge.

Director of cricket Enoch Nkwe admits all is not well. “Not everyone will be happy,” he said about the mood in the camp. 

He explained that through one-on-one conversations with the players, it was clear there was a need for change. “We have identified areas that need improvement. We want to create an environment that allows the team, the players, to drive and improve those areas,” said Nkwe, without going into detail.

The team departs for Pakistan next Saturday for their first assignment since finishing as runners-up in the T20 World Cup in February, an outcome that elicited plenty of optimism about the future.

However, much of the momentum appears to have been lost, with a number of senior players upset that there hasn’t been a coaching change in the six months since then. Instead, Hilton Moreeng, who was first appointed head coach in 2012 and whose last contract ended in June, will take on an interim role until the end of the year.

Sune Luus, who’d captained the team in the last 18 months — a period that included two World Cups, the Commonwealth Games and a tour to England — chose not to continue as skipper, opting to “focus on her cricket”, according to a source.

I’ve had a number of chats with the players and I think we are in a better place as a result

—  Nkwe

Nkwe said Moreeng and chief selector Clinton du Preez were still in talks about who will captain the team in Pakistan, with Laura Wolvaardt the favourite for the role.

Nkwe explained how he had divided plans for the Proteas’ future into two periods. “There is short-term planning that we will do until the end of December. Hilton will continue as coach for the Pakistan tour and in the home series against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.” 

Thereafter, Nkwe hopes to appoint a new coach, which the majority of the senior players in the side are desperate for. “I’ve had a number of chats with the players, and I think we are in a better place as a result. For me, there is much more clarity about the future.”

That new person will have the toughest assignment in the women’s game — a trip to Australia, that includes a Test match — as their first tour next January. 

Nkwe said he had the backing of Cricket SA’s Board to make a coaching change after December 31, when Moreeng’s short-term contract ends.