09 June,2011 08:00 AM IST | | Clayton Murzello
Former South Africa all-rounder Dave Callaghan reckons new team director and head coach Gary Kirsten will do well to cite the example of India's Sachin Tendulkar during his pep talks with his country's young cricketers.
"Tendulkar is a model for anyone so Gary talking about him; using him as an example of one keeping his feet on the ground for an extended period of time is a sure plus for South African cricket," Callaghan told MiD DAY from Port Elizabeth.
Gary Kirsten
Kirsten helped India realise the dream of clinching their second World Cup apart contributing to Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men being kings of Test cricket. India did not lose a Test series when Kirsten was in charge.
"Gary demands respect considering what he has achieved as a player and coach of India. We've not had the big achievers in our coaching set-up and Gary comes with a massive reputation," said Callaghan of his former teammate. Callaghan (46) played 29 one-day internationals for South Africa from 1992 to 2000 and is a testicular cancer survivor.
Callaghan reckoned Kirsten played a role in Tendulkar still being a huge force at the age of 38. "The most difficult part for a player is the fear of failure and that is where I feel Gary has been important for Sachin. In many ways, Sachin's the ideal player to look up to. He doesn't get himself involved in controversies; gets on with the game and that's how it should be. His temperament and hunger for runs are two important qualities that stand out," added Callaghan.
