Neil McKenzie has been confirmed as South Africa’s batting coach for the upcoming T20 series against England and Australia followed by the World T20 with Russell Domingo, the head coach, pinpointing McKenzie’s vast experience around the world and his ability to explain his ideas clearly to players as key reasons for his appointment.ESPNcricinfo revealed Cricket South Africa’s move for McKenzie earlier this month and the details have now been completed after his return from the Masters Champions League in the UAE. Currently, it is a short-term appointment to cover the run of T20 cricket on the horizon but the door has been left ajar to explore a longer-term arrangement for when South Africa return to international action later in the year.
“Neil has played a lot of cricket both locally and overseas. The main thing is the relationship he is able to develop with players. As a coach that’s one of the most important ingredients: being able to work with people and get people to understand and listen to some ideas you have on a particular skill,” Domingo said. “Some guys may have a lot of knowledge but often it’s the way of putting it across that might not be the best way. That’s the most important thing and I think he will be really good at that.””Neil will work with us until the end of the T20 World Cup,” he added. “Things will be assessed from there, it’s the end of the cricket season, and we will look at things going forward.”McKenzie has been in the same changing room as many members of the current South Africa team, including AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, and until late last year he was an active member of the Lions franchise. His domestic career spanned two decades and he was one of the most popular players on the circuit, known for his commitment and his quirks. McKenzie is famed for superstitions that include taping his bat to the ceiling but it remains to be seen whether he brings any of those to his coaching philosophy.
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