Former Proteas batter and Western Province coach Ashwell Prince is back in South Africa after a short stint with Bangladesh sparking speculation that he might be set to apply for the role of Director of Cricket.
Cricket South Africa’s Social Justice and Nation Building Hearings have created the impression that the board’s efforts to transform the game in South Africa have been frustrated.
With CSA set for more reforms in the boardroom, they could certainly do with appointing a champion of transformation to the role of DOC.
Despite some successes on the field under the guidance of the Smith-Boucher axis, CSA are unlikely to extend the former skipper’s tenure in the crucial role.
Prince has extensive coaching experience and has had to navigate the politics of cricket throughout his career both playing and non-playing.
While his tenure as coach of Western Province was devoid of trophies, the team produced several Proteas during his tenure, and he was respected by those in his charge.
Ashwell Prince has stepped down as the batting coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team, citing personal reasons.
— EWN Sport (@EWNsport) February 9, 2022
This comes after Jamie Siddons was named the Tigers batting consultant.
Prince has the drive to push CSA transformation agenda forward, having already stated that it is his desire to see an integrated and united South African cricket system.
He has opposed window dressing the Proteas team to cover up a lack of real transformation at the grassroots level and admitted that there is no ready solution for the problems facing the sport.
Prince is prepared to, in his own words, have ‘tough honest uncomfortable conversations’.
While the former Test opener has a strong set of ideals, he remains rooted in reality sometimes to the point that he can come across as cynical.
Like Smith, Prince is renowned for being a hard-nosed competitor and as a coach, has been brutally honest with players.
He will almost certainly have his opponents and detractors within cricket and the cricketing media but is a strong candidate for the role, especially if CSA are serious about inclusivity, non-racialism, and real change.
Ashwell Prince ideally placed to succeed Graeme Smith - https://t.co/ozp3y5I80X #ClubCricketSA pic.twitter.com/rWDwGqdt2R
— Club Cricket SA (@ClubCricketSA) February 10, 2022
