One of the key takeaways from Mark Boucher’s press conference was definitely the pivotal point of the new culture, the new philosophy and brand of playing that we can look forward to, writes Chris Chiwanza.
The thirty-minute virtual press conference covered a number of topics that were mainly connected to the future and how the Proteas look to conduct business going forward.
One of the key takeaways was definitely the pivotal point of the new culture, the new philosophy and brand of playing that we can look forward to. Smart and aggressive, that is how Boucher describes it.
“Living out the philosophy we’ve put in place, for now, is the main goal in our minds,” said Boucher in Thursday’s press conference.
“We want to be nice and aggressive, that’s the way the game is going, the direction in which it’s going. I think smartness is something which we have spoken about… you don’t want to go out there and be mavericks, you want to be nice and smart.”
The Proteas head coach revealed that because there has been no cricket, especially white-ball cricket, in a while, he is going to give everyone a clear shot at earning a spot in the Proteas line-up.
So, as much as there is a huge chance of predictable players making the squad, there is also a chance for the little thought of candidates. They all have the pen in their hands to write their name on to the list, as Boucher puts it.
Boucher recognized the importance of the time needed for his team to grow and adapt, but he also emphasized the importance of results along the way. Even when the team is still growing and developing, “It’s from winning that you get confidence.”
Now, if you are one of the many people who has been wondering what the Proteas XI at the next T20 World Cup in India will look like, then Boucher doesn’t have answers for you right now.
Therefore you might have to join the many fans, commentators and journalists who are still trying to look into the future by drawing up their own fantasy lists.
“If you had asked me this question before Covid-19, I would have said yes. But, let’s be realistic, we haven’t had cricket in quite some time. And in regards to form and ageing of players and all that type of stuff, I actually haven’t got that XI at the moment.
“But let’s start playing and I think we’ll start working out certain positions that are solidified, and maybe certain positions that are open as well.”
Photo: Deryck Foster/BackpagePix
More in the press conference:
