The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Russell Domingo to coach Proteas

Roar Pro
13th May, 2013
17

Assistant coach Russell Domingo has big shoes to fill when he takes over from Gary Kirsten as Proteas coach after the Champions Trophy in England and Wales.

Kirsten unexpectedly gave notice last week he would not renew his two-year contract that expires in August and would stand down after next month’s tournament .

Cricket South Africa moved swiftly to offer the 38-year-old Domingo the post, some say a seamless move as opposed to the dithering over issues that has plagued SA Cricket off the field of late.

Domingo is also the first person of colour to coach the national cricket team and of course his acceptance of his appointment will be a feather in the cap of the national cricket body’s bid to develop players and coaches of colour.

Kirsten, the man some call the “Mourinho of Cricket” cited family pressures as reason for his rather shock announcement.

Kirsten has had his first lengthy break in many seasons, after stepping into the Proteas coaching breach, following his successful stint with India. He said he had realised how time away from his family had impacted on his young children and that had influenced his decision.

Trusty as people are about Kirsten’s reasons, there is also a rumour mill going around about politics in the highest echelons of SA cricket and the fact that the organisation has been without a CEO for some seven months, as part of the reason.

But be that as it may, it has opened the door for Domingo.

Advertisement

Domingo of course will feel the heat, as Kirsten has left the Proteas still trophy-less in a ODI tournament of substance, particularly the World Cup.

However Domingo said it would be stupid of him not to pick the brain of Kirsten when he assumes the mantle as head coach, and that he would use probably use him (Kirsten) in some consultative capacity for the Proteas.

He also promised to enhance Kirsten’s legacy and structures. The two coaches have an abiding respect for each other.

When Domingo was coaching the Eastern Cape Warriors franchise in South Africa, he (Domingo) employed Kirsten as a batting consultant. Domingo, who coached the Warriors franchise for six seasons, won two major limited overs’ series in one season with the team (T20 and 40-over formats) and coached them to a final in the international T20 Champions League.

Kirsten after his appointment to coach the Proteas, had obviously seen first-hand Domingo’s potential and his first call was to his former “employer” when the vacancy arose.

Domingo, together with Alan Donald (bowling coach) have spent almost two years with Kirsten, and many say that Domingo’s role in the success of the Proteas in recent seasons should not be underestimated.

Described as intelligent, and a man who can rattle off statistics at will, Domingo despite his approachable manner, is no pushover.

Advertisement

His to his former employer at the Warriors franchise, CEO Dave Emslie has said “..he’s strong enough to make decisions. But he also has the ability to work with people. I’m certain he’ll do a great job.”

Of course Domingo will have his detractors, who say he has no experience whatsoever of playing at the highest level or even first-class cricket.

However his CV so far as coach, could not probably go unnoticed.

Domingo has done the hard yards as coach. He started at EP under-19s then followed it up with a coaching job with the SA under-19s.

He also coached EP Academy, EP Amateurs, the Warriors (at franchise level), SA A and SA Emerging squad, before his rise to assistant coach of the national side.

Kirsten said of his successor: “My relationship with Russell has always been a close one. He is passionate and clinical and has done a lot of coaching. I have no doubt he is very capable of doing high-level coaching jobs.”

Russell also indicated that he had spoken to most of the senior players who have given him their support. “There is no way I would take this job without support of the senior players,” he said at a hastily convened press conference.

Advertisement

Domingo, who hails from Port Elizabeth is ecstatic to have the opportunity of proving himself at the highest level, but is acutely aware that despite his progress, things are only going to get harder from hereon in.

The ardent Manchester United supporter quipped after the announcement: “Now I know how David Moyes must be feeling.” And indeed, it will get only tougher as he oversees the No 1 Test playing nation in World Cricket, for the next two years at least.

close