South Africa want to make history

Dubai : "We want to make history in India," Dr Mtutuzeli Nyoka, the President of Cricket South Africa, told Gulf News in an exclusive interview after the Shyam Bhatia award function at the SAS Radisson Hotel on Wednesday.

"We have never won a Test series in India and so we are keen to do it this time. We wanted to start our climb to the top through a win and we did it in Nagpur. Our bowlers are bowling well, our batters are batting well and the mood in the camp is very good and healthy. So the outcome will also be good," added Nyoka.

Nyoka went on to reveal that he had to make some urgent changes after the series against England to ensure that the team regain their winning ways.

Good decision

"We had to change the coach [Micky Arthur] as we felt that some changes are needed to reach the level our team belongs to. The results shows that perhaps our decision was a good one," he added.

When asked whether a new coach will be appointed soon, Nyoka said that there will not be an immediate appointment to the coach's post.

"We will give the people who are in charge of the team in India some time to prove themselves. So we will not make any changes till the 2011 World Cup. We will advertise for the post and those who are in the interim positions now are also free to apply. So we will open up the post only after the World Cup," he confirmed, putting an end to speculations that many top coaches are in the running for the post.

Nyoka also revealed that the team will focus to win the Twenty20 World Cup in West Indies. "In India we are trying to make sure that we get the right mix and right combination of players to do well during the World Cup. So the India series is also a preparation for the World Cup in West Indies," said Nyoka, who feels that Graeme Smith is the right captain to lead South Africa to greater glory.

"Smith is the finest captain in world cricket. He is the greatest captain that South Africa has ever had. To climb more heights we need Smith as the leader. He is a treasure for us and is the best thing that has happened to South Africa cricket," he said.

Smith also confirmed that South Africa will play Pakistan in the UAE this December.

"We are also keen to spread the game around the world. The UAE has been hosting major events and that is a sign of growth. We would love to play Pakistan in Dubai because we have realised that this is a very impressive venue and the facilities here are second to none."