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Jennings' pain shines through
18/05/2005 10:42 - (SA)
Johannesburg - South African cricket coach Ray Jennings arrived back in South Africa on Wednesday after a very successful tour of the West Indies, in which South Africa won the four-match Test series 2-0, and the one-day series 5-0.
But instead of being able to bask in the glow of the successful tour, Jennings had to face the media knowing that he would almost certainly be replaced as coach by Mickey Arthur of the Warriors on Thursday.
"The coach issue added an extra pressure," he admitted. "But coaches are there to absorb pressure, and I am proud of what I achieved with the team.
"People respect what I've done, and I can walk away with my head held high."
United Cricket Board president Ray Mali also acknowledged Jennings' achievements. Commenting that the successful tour of the Caribbean heralded the birth of a new era for South African cricket, Mali added that things had not looked so bright a year ago, before Jennings took over as coach.
"Ray, you have done well. You have done us proud," said Mali.
Ruffled feathers
Jennings acknowledged that he had ruffled a few feathers during his eight-month tenure as coach of the national team. "I'm not there to be loved," he said. "I'm there to get results. I've always believed that if a coach doesn't get results, he should be fired.
"But if he gets results, he should be retained."
Although Jennings put on a brave face, he was obviously hurt by the South African cricket authorities' apparent decision to dispense with his services.
He said he believed he had had a positive impact on a number of the players during his time as coach. "Look at Herschelle Gibbs," he said. "He's changed from being an irresponsible razzler into a well-groomed, professional man that some woman's going to be very proud of.
"Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis - they used to sit in the corner and not say anything. Now they are sharing their experience with the rest of the team," he said. "Mark Boucher has become the team Staffie, and Makhaya Ntini is always there, trying to motivate the rest of the players.
"I believe I've sharpened up the players and they've sharpened me up."
Jennings said nothing could take away his memories if he did not continue as South African coach.
Ruffled feathers
"I've enjoyed the excitement of going to the West Indies and achieving the first whitewash there, and seeing their players falling out with one another because of what we've done on the field.
"It's always good to see what chaos you can cause in the opposition camp, just because you are playing so well."
Jennings hinted that approaches had been made to him by West Indies cricket officials, but said he really wanted to continue to serve cricket in South Africa. "Cricket is my passion, and I want to be involved. I love South Africa - it's my country, and I want to stay here and do something for cricket in South Africa," he said.
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