IND vs SA | South African Cricket is like a headless chicken, says Brian McMillan
Former South African all-rounder Brian McMillan said that there is absolutely no leadership in the South African camp and that they are moving around like headless chicken. South African captain Faf du Plessis was unimpressive to say the least in his side's 3-0 drubbing off the hands of India.
South Africa were blown away by the mighty Indians in the just-concluded Test series that India won 3-0, completing a historic whitewash. The South African bowlers had no clue to bowl the right lengths and batsmen had no patience and willingness to put a price on the wicket.
Former South African veteran Peter Kirsten said that it did not come as a shock to him. This was because South Africa's dismal run in the World Cup was evident for showing their decline as a team with great players like Ab de Villiers, Dale Steyn absent. He also praised the Indian side and said that it was indeed difficult to beat India in their own den.
"I'm not surprised to see us struggle so badly in India. As former cricketers, we saw it coming since the World Cup, where too we weren't at our best. It is, in any case, very, very difficult to play India in India," Kirsten told TOI
Another South African veteran, all-rounder Brian McMillan accused Faf du Plessis of showing poor captaincy skills. He believes that there was no leadership or direction provided to the team and they were just behaving like 'headless chickens running around'. He felt that had a stronger captain put a proper plan in place, there was a chance of competing with India in their own conditions. he believes that there are rumours of Temba Bavuma replacing du Plessis as the next Protea Test captain.
"We're at rock bottom. We're like headless chickens running around everywhere. There's no direction and no leadership. There is also a rumour that the captain might be replaced, with the new skipper being the young Tenda Bavuma," said McMillan.
He believes that the Kolpak pact has hurt them a lot, sending most of their quality players to play in England.
"Many of our quality players have migrated to play the sport in England, other European countries, New Zealand, and the lucrative T20 leagues."
Even Kirsten touched on the Kolpak deal point and has given his suggestions for making the future of South African cricket better.
"A few big retirements, like that of AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, has left the team short of experience. The Kolpak deal, which allows our players to become professional and leave SA, has hurt us badly. I don't want to blame the current South African coach (Enoch Nkwe), but I have been offering my services for the last 10 years and heard nothing from them. Guys like (half-brother) Gary, Ashwell Prince and Mark Boucher need to be involved in coaching the national team," he concluded.