Khalid Mohidin suggests a blend of coaches who would be perfect to take the Proteas forward.

After the Proteas worst-ever World Cup campaign, the Proteas need a full overhaul.

The new appointments must have a drive and desire to win, have an excellent eye for young talent and have the motivational skills to keep the Proteas’ belief at an ultimate high.

Based on these factors, the following backroom staff could be the perfect blend as a unit.

Head Coach: Ashwell Prince

Not only does Prince have the inherent drive to win and an eye for young talent, but his mental-toughness is incredible. He showed this as a player and has carried this over into his coaching role for the Cobras. Check out my column as to why Prince would be the ideal candidate as head coach.

READ: PRINCE IDEAL TO LEAD NEXT GENERATION

Assistant Coach: Faiek Davids

Continuity is key. Davids and Prince have a strong bond and he is also Prince’s assistant coach at the Cobras. He is not only known for keeping the Cobras players motivated with his famous “Keep going Fellas” chant, but he also leads by example from a fitness perspective by training with the side and making sure he is at his pinnacle level of fitness. As a player, he was a very well balanced all-rounder who had the power-hitting ability and also was effective with the ball. He played 75 first-class matches and scored 3,360 runs that included 19 half-centuries and five 100s. With the ball, he took 107 wickets at an average of 23.77 and an economy rate of 2.86. As an assistant coach, he will provide crucial advice to batsmen and bowlers. Their blend is perfect. While Prince was an exceptional top-order batsman, Davids can provide the all-rounders and lower-order batsmen the perfect support. The 53-year-old also understands the struggle brought by isolation in South Africa’s cricket history.

Batting Coach: Jacques Kallis

This selection is not because Kallis is the greatest ever cricketer that the Proteas has produced. The reason he would be the perfect batting coach is purely based on his mental strength as a player. What was lacking during the Proteas’ World Cup campaign, was mental strength. In pressure situations, our batsmen failed to perform when required. As a player, Kallis was famous for the ‘bubble’ technique. He would put himself in a mental space where he could not be distracted, and often, this would help him produce high-quality performances regardless of collapses around him. He would be the advisor to the Proteas players. As a bonus, Kallis is one of the most technically sound batsmen that ever lived. And with over 500 wickets for the Proteas across all formats, he can also provide invaluable advice to the Proteas’ bowlers and all-rounders.

Bowling coach: Charl Langeveldt

The former Proteas bowler was exceptional at producing the yorker. He had an incredible number of variations and his execution was remarkable. With 100 wickets in 72 ODIs, he has proven to be effective but he will be able to provide the advice that the Proteas’ bowlers need in the areas they are lacking in.

Fielding coach/batting consultant: Herschelle Gibbs

Gibbs has a relatable personality to the younger generation. Not only that, but he has been a player who many young cricketers have admired. The “brave cricket” concept was lived by Gibbs who excelled in high-pressure situations. He was an exceptional fielder and batsman, and purely an all-round athlete. But read Alasdair Fraser’s column as to why he would be perfect in this role.

READ: GIBBS MUST JOIN THE PROTEAS SETUP

Wicketkeeping coach: Ezra Poole

The importance of a wicketkeeping coach cannot be ignored. And Poole is the best wicketkeeper coach in the country. Having worked with some of the top wicketkeepers in the domestic scene, Poole has earned the respect of both women and men cricketers. The Proteas must make sure they have two natural keepers in their side because it is one of the most important positions on the field, especially in the longest format. If you look at the most successful teams in history, they all have had quality keepers. Poole has unique techniques and a forward-thinking mindset, which can be seen in his innovation to launch an online wicketkeeping academy. And his experience as a Western Province convenor of selectors means he has the eye for young talent and cricket ability. He also has an understanding and productive relationship with Prince. So there won’t be a need for a teething period.

Spin bowling coach: Imran Tahir

Tahir is the best limited-overs bowler the Proteas has ever produced. His ability to keep batsmen guessing and his execution of special deliveries will be invaluable to the upcoming spinners in the country. We can see how Tabraiz Shamsi raves about Tahir’s mentorship. But read all you need to know about Tahir in Craig Stirton’s column.

READ: IMRAN TAHIR SHOULD TAKE SPIN-BOWLING REINS

Photo: Cape Cobras