Will South Africa Turn to Baptiste?

Sun, Jun 2, '02

Former West Indies all-rounder Eldine Baptiste is among three front-runners to land the prime job as coach of the South Africa national team.

Baptiste, currently coaching the KwaZulu-Natal senior team, are among three contenders for the job, which opened up when the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) announced the firing of Graham Ford as national coach.

According to reports out of South Africa, Baptiste will be contending for the post with Eric Simons of Western Province and Dave Nosworthy of Northerns.

Before signing on as KwaZulu-Natal senior team coach in February 2001, Baptiste had a 20-year cricket career that saw him represent Antigua, the Leeward Islands, West Indies, Kent, Northamptonshire, Eastern Province and finally Natal.

He played in 10 Tests for the West Indies between 1983 and 1990, averaging 23.30 with the bat, with a top score of 87 not out. He also took 16 wickets (35.18 per) with a best of 3-31. In 245 first class matches, he has taken 723 wicket at 24.65 per (best 8-76).

When he was appointed Natal coach, team captain Dale Benkenstein commented: "Bap is just starting out as a coach and is very ambitious, so I think he'll bring a hard edge to the job and will make us work very hard."

"Bap has played for us for two years now and has got to know us and what makes us tick. The players are happy because there's continuity and we all know Eldine is a true professional."