Massive changes to the Proteas’ brains trust has given much-needed impetus to a South African cricket side that has been crying out for change, writes Alasdair Fraser.

Just under a month ago, cricket fans were lamenting a lack of structure in our Proteas team. There was no “fire” in our #ProteaFire anymore. What a difference a month makes!

Having Graeme Smith come on board as interim Director of Cricket has seen various changes that the public has been crying out for. The public being, in my opinion, the most important stakeholders of our beautiful game. 

It’s you the fans who pay to go watch our heroes play. Without you there would be no #ProteaFire. 

In the space of several days, we have seen Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis join the national team. 

This is massive.

The wealth of experience that comes with these two South African cricketing heroes is invaluable. They have been there and done that and will command the respect they deserve from the changeroom.

When Kallis gives his input, batsmen listen.

For the past few years this would not have been possible. With due respect to Ottis Gibson, guys like Smith, Boucher and Kallis would not have been in the picture. This was the same spine that formed the core group during our golden era of cricket.

Suddenly, our cricket is looking healthy again. The MSL 2.0 concluded with a bang in Paarl. There is a spring in our step. As I wrote in my previous column, England should be wary of the backlash heading for them. 

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Prior to the MSL final, the Test squad was announced, and the most glowing selection was that of Rassie van der Dussen. This is an indication that the fans’ voices are being heard. 

Van Der Dussen has had a stellar year and it’s about to be capped with a Test debut against our oldest Test rivals, England. 

Australia recently picked Marnus Labuschagne in their ODI squad for their tour to India. The Klerksdorp-born Baggy Green has been one of the top Test scorers in 2019, and the Australian selectors have deemed him good enough for ODI cricket.

It’s the complete opposite for Rassie and there is no doubt, like Labuschagne, that he will be a valuable addition to the Proteas’ batting lineup. We’ve been crying out for that stability.

The other new faces in the Test squad are encouraging – one that tickles my fancy is that of Dwaine Pretorius who has been in sublime form with bat and ball. The Proteas have been crying out for a genuine all-rounder for some time now and with Kallis’ expertise in the mix we could see a debut beckoning for the 30-year-old Lions seamer.

Once again it brings me to what Smith, Boucher and Kallis bring to the table. Faf du Plessis was part of that team under Smith’s captaincy, which means there will be a cohesive strategy that is built on a strong leadership structure. 

Don’t forget that Du Plessis, like Smith is the only South African captain to win a series in Australia and the former is also the first South African since Ali Bacher in 1970 to beat the Aussies in the Republic. A massive achievement. That is a wealth of experience right there.

Having those brains work in tandem with the former player network at their disposal will no doubt bring a reunion we have being crying out for: AB de Villiers. 

If there was ever leadership structure who could bring back Mr 360 himself, it’s the current one who are about to embark on a four-match series against England.

When the Hansie Cronje saga broke in 2000, we had a revenge three-match ODI series against Australia in South Africa. We hadn’t played them since the 1999 World Cup semi-final. The situation was tense.

South Africans like to fight when the chips are down. That team was hurting and playing under a new captain they went on to beat a strong Australian side 2-1. Recent circumstances have been dire to say the least.

Be afraid England, be very afraid.  

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