Durban – Former batsman Imraan Khan is a likely candidate for the Dolphins coaching vacancy, but the union will only make a final decision on the issue once the country’s proposed new cricketing structures are confirmed by Cricket South Africa (CSA).
Dolphins chief executive Heinrich Strydom says at this stage Khan is likely to take over from the departing Grant Morgan – if the team need to appoint another coach for the new structure suggested for next year.
But there could be a different thinking if CSA comes up with plans that make franchises operate way differently from the past.
Morgan, who was contracted until the end of next season, will be joining the Scotland national team as of next month as the assistant coach to Shane Burger.
In April this year, the CSA board approved plans that will see South Africa’s six franchise teams expand to 12 provincial teams from May 2020.
That means there will be no ‘Dolphins’ next year, but rather a broader KwaZulu-Natal side that will be participating in the new structure.
At the moment, it’s not clear if the personnel that are currently serving at franchises will automatically move to the new sides or there will be restructuring – and that’s why Strydom needs guidance from CSA.
“The idea is to announce the new coach by the end of July,” said Strydom.
“I’ve received a lot of interest in the position, but we haven’t advertised it as yet. We are still discussing the way forward with Cricket South Africa, as you know they are busy with the restructuring. So, we just need more details on whether we should do a long-term commitment, or do we just do a one-year contract with the new coach,” he said.
Strydom said if CSA indicated that they would have to start everything afresh, it wouldn’t make sense to bring in someone from the outside for just one season.
“There’s a growth option which is to stay internally; especially if it’s only for one year it would not make sense to go find somebody who has to relocate and all that,” said the chief executive.
“If we do go from internal, and if it’s Imraan, then we would obviously have to look at how we source assistance for him.
