All looks like doom and gloom for CRICKET SA , as the incoming England tour looms large.

But, wait a minute; this tour presents a wonderful opportunity to re-boot Cricket South Africa.

That’s if the right calls are made in the next few days……

Remember Cricket Australia after ‘the sand paper crisis’. What they did was to act decisively by firing their then CEO James Sutherland, who was responsible for setting ‘the wrong culture’

Australia bounced back fast under new leadership to narrowly miss out on winning the Cricket World Cup. Well done to them as everybody loves a good come- back story.

Now it’s our turn to act decisively, and there is little time for more and more weekend meetings.

Action steps urgently required. Half measures will not cut it .

Here’s what the top-line game plan should look like – if we want to make our cricketers feel like our rugby heroes ………..

1. Remove both the President and CEO – together they must take full responsibility for allowing CRICKET SA’s culture to deteriorate to intolerable.Begin due process to find competent new leaders for Cricket SA

2. Appoint an interm acting CEO……… YES DONE.

3. Appoint Graeme Smith as Director of Cricket with immediate effect – just like SA rugby has with Rassie Erasmus.

4. Begin the due process to find a new Head Coach – and begin due process to find a new panel of selectors.

5. In the interim period, request GARY KIRSTEN to take on the head coach role for England tour in an interim role – supported by Enoch Nkwe

6. Given the time urgency – allow Smith,Kirsten,Nkwe and FAF du Plessis (captain) to select team for England tour. (Until a competent selection panel is up and running again).

7. And crucially bring back AB de Villiers to bat at No. 4 .This is the key catalytic move required for a quick turnaround – as explained below.

Cricket SA‘s culture has been in the doldrums for a while – and it has impacted on all – mostly the players.

I believe the man who can help CRICKET SA turn the culture corner fast is AB De Villiers – with his undoubted cricketing genius.

The likes of Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma and others – will find it far easier playing in the right culture and climate – with the backbone of De Villiers at No.4.

Winning ways will return. Spectators will return. Sponsors will return.

We have all witnessed how important players like Siya Kolisi, Makazole Mapimpi and Duane Vermeulen have been in fostering the right culture within SA RUGBY – inspiring a nation – inspiring confidence in fellow players – and most importantly inspiring the youth to play rugby.

Cricket SA needs the very same – from Rabada, Ngidi, AB. de Villiers …………and all the Proteas together as one.

The CRICKET SA culture needs to move on from one of  ‘quotas’ to one of  ‘LIVING THE SEARCH ‘– that is one of inspiring our youth – and making sure our resources / our youth talent  never gets lost in our school systems.( Ask Rassie how to do that )

Our heroes, as in Rabada, Ngidi , AB de Villiers and others, need the full support from CRICKET SA leaders…..…not what they have been getting over the last few years.

Come on FAF –   as they say “never waste a good crisis.”

Let’s go whip those pommies on the field of play – but be nice to ‘The Barmy Army’ – they’re always great fun in SA.

Com’on Summa. Many cold beers will be sunk together.

# PROTEAFIRE

#STRONGERTOGETHER

# OPPORTUNITYAWAITS

Go Great

Rob

Rob Opie is a Brand Strategist, Keynote Speaker, Author, Performance Coach to Business & Sports Teams – and Life Coach to those on a journey to self-actualisation.

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