Fun at work for SA coach Corrie van Zyl

If you think the south africans will be a tad slack during the christmas period, forget it. coach corrie believes there's no better way to spend the festive season than playing in front of huge crowds

If you think the south africans will be a tad slack during the christmas period, forget it. coach corrie believes there's no better way to spend the festive season than playing in front of huge crowds

South Africa's coach Corrie van Zyl. Pic/ Getty images

Another victim of the apartheid era, Corrie van Zyl, a fast bowler and useful lower-order batsman, had to wait for more than 10 years since the day of his first-class debut to make his first international appearance. He played just a few ODIs before retiring from all forms of cricket in 1993-94. In 1998, he began a five-year stint as the assistant coach of South Africa. Later, he was head coach of the Eagles with whom he won six domestic championships.u00a0

Earlier this year, he took over the reins of the national team following the abrupt departure of Mickey Arthur, under whom South Africa achieved phenomenal success.

Van Zyl is set to quit the top job after the 2011 World Cup. He caught up with MiD DAY just minutes after his team assembled for a practice session yesterday.

Excerpts:

How difficult is it to motivate the side during the festive season?
It is not difficult, actually. Boxing Day Tests have been a part of tradition. It has been part of the South African cricket itinerary for many years now. Also, these are professional cricketers who have their priorities in place. They are playing for the country and that's very important to them. There's no better way to spend the holidays by playing top-class cricket in front of huge crowds. It is a holiday gift to the people here.

How long did it take you to feel at home after Mickey Arthur's abrupt departure?
I must admit it was very difficult at first. There was a lot being said in and around the team, and in the media. It was such a quick transition to take over the reins of the team. It took me a while to feel at home.

You have beaten Australia in Australia, England in England, and came close to beating India in India on two occasions in the last 36 months. Do you feel SA deserve the No 1 Test ranking, and not India?
(Laughs) Well, we'd love to be No 1, but we are not, according to the official rankings. We respect the rankings system and the people who devised them. We respect the fact that India are currently ranked No 1. We want to get there. This series (against India) is part of that process. We have made a tremendous start but this is just the beginning. We have a lot more work to do before claiming a series-win.

India and SA have played a lot against each other in the last three years. Does that negate the 'X-Factor'? Are players too familiar with one another?
It doesn't negate the 'X-Factor' but definitely the players are familiar with each other. I don't think it takes away any of the excitement from the series. It is still a very well fought battle. Playing India is always going to be a tough challenge.

It is a challenge to aspire to win a series against them. They are ranked No 1, so they must have done something right to get there. People can become a little complacent at times when they play each other a lot. But players in our side have their heads on their shoulders. There is never any room for complacency.

A lot has been made of the lack of practice matches. South Africa came to India earlier this year and won the first Test (at Nagpur) without a practice game...
They (India) wanted a practice game to get used to the conditions. It is understandable. They haven't played a Test here since 2007. We were okay with practice because we are familiar with the conditions and had just come off a series in Abu Dhabi. At the end of the day, it is important to note that both teams are playing in the same conditions. There will be pace and bounce on these pitches. Both teams have experienced players who have played in such conditions on numerous occasions, some on more than 100 occasions. Whoever copes best with these conditions will win the series. It is as simple as that.

Can you tell us a bit about Graeme Smith, the captain?
He is a man in command. He backs his players to the core. Takes responsibility for the team, never shies away from adversity. For a young man, he has already achieved so much at the international stage.
I have never seen him get carried away even if the side has won a big series. He has evolved as a captain and cricketer so beautifully over the last six years. South Africa is very blessed to have a captain-batsman like him in the set-up.