Lance Klusener to help South Africa before first Test with England
Tuesday 22 December 2015 19:57, UK
South Africa have recruited the help of their former international Lance Klusener as they prepare for the Boxing Day Test against England in Durban.
The all-rounder played 49 Tests and 171 one-day internationals for his country between 1996 and 2004.
Klusener has since gone on to become coach of KwaZulu-Natal who play their domestic games at Kingsmead - the locastion for the opening Test.
South Africa coach Russell Domingo hopes Klusener's experience and local knowledge will help his lower-order batsmen when the series gets underway on Saturday.
Domingo said: "Our batters eight, nine and 10, I don't think we are blessed with the all-rounders of the past like Klusener, [Shaun] Pollock or Nicky Boje.
"Our tail is a little bit exposed and that's why I have asked Lance to come in for the next few days. We see our lower order as being potentially an area that we need to work on.
"His particular role will be to work with the lower order batters as a guy who has batted in those positions at international level.
"He can pass some of his ideas to the lower order and also give them a sense of purpose and a sense of direction. Their contributions with the bat this series are going to be important."
South Africa, the top-ranked Test nation in the world, come into the series off the back of a poor showing in the 3-0 series defeat to India.
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Domingo - who has coached south Africa for more than two years - believes getting simple things right will be key if they are to get back on track.
He added: "I've always thought that when sides are under pressure and possibly not playing well you need to do the basics well.
"Focus hard on the things we have done well in the past and try to do those things really well. It's about trying to simplify our game plans and strategies as much as possible.
"We have a Test team that is trying to find their style of play, a new captain that is still establishing himself.
"This is another opportunity for us to establish that style of play and make sure we go out and do those basics well."
Coverage of the first Test between South Africa and England in Durban gets underway at 7.30am on Boxing Day morning on Sky Sports 2, or watch without a contract on NOW TV.
