South Africa May Have Closed in on Their Coach, But is it India's Gary Kirsten?

How quickly the shoe is on the other foot. It seems only the other day that Gary Kirsten became half Indian when he took on the role of the Indian cricket coach. As the suspense surrounding South Africa's cricket coach, Cricket South Africa have finished the application part of the deal, suggesting they have plenty in the form of genuine contenders that they would require no more.

gary kirsten in camp

Cricket South Africa have not only concluded the process of accepting applications for the next South African cricket team coach but also, have hinted that they have what they require in terms of a genuine coach in the applications received thus far.

That is being interpreted as some rather reputable names in international cricket throwing their names in the hat as well as that it could be a man closer to home in Gary Kirsten, the present Indian coach, who has indicated that he may not be part of the Indian cricket set up at the conclusion of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 with his immediate needs to be spending time at his own clinic and his own family in South Africa.

While all lips are sealed at the moment, there has been a great deal of speculation about Kirsten's availability as well as South Africa's intentions to keep it all at home. It has been no secret that since Corrie van Zyl took over as the South African coach with the resignation of Mickey Arthur, it would be on temporary terms before South Africa found a steadier behind leading the back room staff.

With Kirsten proving his coaching credentials with India's success, South Africa are said to have pounced at the first hint of Kirsten wanting to leave India. Whether this is all speculation with not a grain of truth will perhaps be revealed after the World Cup while the final selection is made.

Until then South Africa have a job to do to change history at the World Cup while Kirsten does as well to make sure India can repeat history.