Former batting consultant Neil McKenzie back to assist the Proteas

Former South African batsman, Neil McKenzie was appointed as the batting consultant only nine days after his retirement back in 2016. Popular, mildly eccentric and unassuming, Neil McKenzie was a stalwart in South Africa’s middle-order for four years in the early 2000s. He represented South Africa in 58 Test matches. He scored over 3000 runs in this format at an average just above 37.

However, the omission of McKenzie took everyone by surprise after Ottis Gibson was appointed the head coach. Gibson announced his backroom staff late last year. The former Proteas opener was ditched, along with bowling coach Charl Langeveldt and assistant coach Adrian Birrell.

McKenzie to join the set up once again

But now, on the eve of the third Test against India at the Wanderers, it looks like McKenzie is back. Dale Benkenstein is the new batting coach of the national side. But he was keen on getting McKenzie to join up with the squad once more. McKenzie was found in the nets dishing out ‘throw-downs’ to the out-of-form Quinton de Kock. He was also seen handing out tips to Andile Phehlukwayo.

The Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis said that he was just assisting the batsmen. He said that the role of McKenzie was to take care of the next tier of batsmen who are coming through. The Proteas are keen on building up a good side for the future. They are already planning out the transition phase right from now. Faf also said that the present batting coach insisted to get Neil back in.

“He is just assisting. He was part of the Proteas set-up for a while,” Du Plessis explained. “His role going forward will probably be to look at the next tier of batsmen coming through. It says a lot about Dale that he’s happy to bring in guys who were in his role before him. The two of them get on really well and I think it’s a great thing for Cricket South Africa (CSA).”

Du Plessis added that CSA should always look at consulting with former players who had contributed significantly to the national cause. “The more guys in key positions who have been involved with the team for a long time and know what it takes to be involved as a player at this level, the better,” Du Plessis said. “They can look at the next tier of players and make sure that they have a lot of insight.”

The decision was taken quite a while ago

There was the perception that McKenzie was drafted in for the Wanderers Test to help the struggling Quinton de Kock. The Proteas wicketkeeper, who is not in the finest touch with the bat at the moment, has spoken previously of the good work McKenzie had done with him last year.

“If that was the case then I didn’t know about it,” Du Plessis said. “The decision to bring Neil in was taken before Quinny didn’t make runs at Centurion,” he concluded.