McKenzie confirmed as SA batting coach

Former South Africa batsman Neil McKenzie has been appointed as batting coach of the Proteas' T20 side for the series against England and Australia this month, and the World T20 in India next month.
Proteas Coach Russell Domingo confirmed the decision on Wednesday in Cape Town, after a lengthy search for the ideal candidate. McKenzie had confirmed a few days prior that he's been asked to fill the role.
Domingo said: "Neil McKenzie joins us, it’s great to have him on board. It’s been something that we have been trying to do for a long time. We have explored a few options and finally one guy has committed to us, we are ecstatic that Neil will be joining us.
"Neil will work with us until the end of the T20 World Cup. Things will be assessed from there, it’s the end of the cricket season, and we will look at things going forward. He has played a lot of Test, ODI and T20 cricket both locally and overseas.
"The main thing with Neil will be the relationship he develops with players, as a coach, that is the most important ingredient. Being able to work with people and to get people to understand and listen to ideas that you might have of a particular skill.
"Some guys might have all of the knowledge but often their way of getting it across might not be the best way, that’s the most important thing and I think he will be good at that."
McKenzie, who joined the squad as they prepare for the first T20 against England at Newlands on Friday, says he is honoured to be given the opportunity and hopes his vast playing experience will give him the tools to make a difference in the environment.
The 40-year-old is fresh from the Masters Champions League in Dubai where he represented the Virgo Super Kings, with the marquee event adding to his 58 Tests, 64 One-Day International’s (ODI), 155 domestic T20’s and a mammoth 19041 first-class runs.
McKenzie said: "It’s a tremendous honour to be aiding in the batting side of things. It’s nice to be back in the setup, I haven't been here since 2009.
"It’s a good bunch of exciting players and I'm really keen to get started working with all the professionals and to hopefully try and make a difference for South Africa."
The Proteas started their training on Wednesday afternoon after a two-day break, and will look to carry their ODI success over to the T20 format with the World T20 looming next month.
Domingo added: "We play England in our first game of World T20, that puts a lot of importance on these two games.
"It will help us understand their strengths and weaknesses and any mental advantage we can get over them will be very important for us. That’s the added bonus of playing England, even if it’s in different conditions."
Latest
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 3: England skipper Joe Root’s brilliant form continues
Root’s 186 helped England battle back against Sri Lanka in Galle.
-
News
Jos Buttler: Everyone can learn something from watching Joe Root play spin
England’s captain scored another Test century in Galle.
-
News
5 biggest Test knocks of England captain Joe Root’s career
Root’s superb showing in Galle moved him up to fourth in the list of his country’s highest Test run scorers.
-
News
Joe Root puts on another batting masterclass in Sri Lanka before late dismissal
The England captain departed having scored 186 of England’s 339 for nine in Galle.
-
News
England rely on Joe Root again as he defies Sri Lanka with another century
He hit an unbeaten 137 as England reached tea at 252 for six to trail their hosts by 129 runs.
-
News
England stay alive in Sri Lanka as Joe Root claims another century
The Yorkshireman has reached three figures in consecutive matches for the first time in his career.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 2: Familiar faces keep England in the hunt at Galle
James Anderson and Joe Root raised the bar in the second Test against Sri Lanka.
-
News
England paceman James Anderson still finding ways to get better
Anderson’s six for 40 was his best performance in Asian conditions.
-
News
Masterful Joe Root leads England fightback against Sri Lanka
The captain was unbeaten on 67 at stumps on day two of the second Test.
-
News
James Anderson leads the way as England bowl Sri Lanka out for 381
Spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess were left to nurse a combined return of nought for 195 in 64 overs.