Proteas bowlers have time on their side, says new coach

While acknowledging that South Africa’s bowlers have not performed well in the first matches of the season, newly appointed bowling coach Eric Simons said there was no cause for concern as the players simply needed more time. 

The Proteas bowlers have struggled through the T20 series and in the opening ODI against Australia, with Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma highlighting the bowlers’ lack of execution.

“It’s not always the same answer. I need time with the guys. We have an execution problem, my job is to find a solution,” said Simons.

He was roped in to join the Proteas management by head coach Rob Walter, and brings a chunk not only of technical expertise and coaching experience — which includes a two-year stint as the Proteas head coach from 2002 — but also intimate knowledge of Indian conditions where he’s been part of the management of the Chennai Super Kings.

“India has been my cricketing home for the last decade,” said Simons.

From the bowling side I have no doubt about our ability, it's a case of can we get our performance to match our potential

—  Eric Simons

Having only come on board during the winter camps the Proteas held in KwaZulu-Natal, Simons is still getting to know the bowlers, but explained that given their skills, some of the problems seen against Australia can be easily resolved.

“There are three things; one is tactics, then there is the field placing to match that tactic, and the third is the execution — and all of those lead to outcomes.

“You then have to decide where the problem is. Is the tactic wrong or is the field wrong? Right now, there is concern about the execution. The thing people misunderstand is that identifying it is the easy part, solving it is the problem. And that comes to coaching.”

The Proteas start their World Cup campaign on October 7 against Sri Lanka, leaving Simons with sufficient time to get to better know the bowlers and what makes them tick. “From the bowling side, I have no doubt about our ability, it’s a case of can we get our performance to match our potential.”

Simons said that conditions at the time the World Cup will be played will be very different from what they will be in April and May when the IPL is on. “It’s the other end of the season, so there will be a significant difference.

“What I will do is tap into my contacts; what’s it like at the grounds this time of year, and what are those conditions like. Indian cricketers have a very clear knowledge of their conditions; I will mine them for that information.”