 Arthur was a surprise choice as South Africa coach in May 2005
Mickey Arthur said "differences" between himself and Cricket South Africa (CSA) had forced him to step down as coach of the national team. The 41-year-old confirmed he had resigned from his post on Wednesday, with Corrie van Zyl installed as caretaker coach for the India tour. "I don't believe I can take the team forward under the present circumstances," said Arthur. Meanwhile chairman of selectors Mike Procter has been sacked by CSA. Fellow selectors Craig Matthews, Winky Ximiya and Mustapha Khan have also been relieved of their duties. Instead, CSA chief executive Gerald Majola will oversee the interim selection process alongside Van Zyl and former captain Kepler Wessels. Arthur denied his resignation was because of a breakdown in his relationship with South Africa captain Graeme Smith, who sat beside the former coach at a media conference in East London.  | Mickey expressed the very honest and humble view that he did not believe that at this stage he could continue as coach of the Proteas CSA chief executive Gerald Majola |
"The two of us have had a great partnership for five years," said Smith, whose team depart for a two-Test, three one-day match tour of India on Saturday. "It hurts to see him move aside. Mickey was integral in bringing stability and a lot of calmness to the side and he can be proud of what he achieved. "I think its natural for the players to have some emotion now, Mickey has been part of our life for five years. The players will try and be as professional as possible. We know this (India) is an important tour." Majola said the board was unhappy with the team's results in 2009, despite topping the International Cricket Council's world Test rankings last August. However, Arthur said Majola and his fellow board of directors also wanted a different approach which he did not share. "My vision of how to go forward with the team was clear, but the board's was different," said Arthur, who is keen to pursue his career in English county cricket. "I've always run a tight management and team, but the CSA board of directors want structural changes." Installed as Ray Jennings' successor in May 2005, Arthur guided South Africa to their maiden Test series victory in Australia last year, as well as their first series win in England for over 40 years in 2008. However, both Arthur and Smith were criticised for their defensive approach during their four-Test home series against England, where they twice failed to dismiss the tourists with last-man Graham Onions at the crease.  Van Zyl (right) was a former assistant coach for South Africa |
The hosts squared the series 1-1 in Johannesburg following a crushing innings and 74 runs victory nine days ago. But that draw, along with a 2-1 home Test series defeat by Australia, a semi-final loss to Pakistan in the World Twenty20 semi-finals followed by a first-round exit at the Champions Trophy, prompted CSA to reconsider South Africa's strategy for 2010. "I am disappointed, because when I started I said I wanted to get South Africa to number one in both forms of the game," added Arthur. "I wanted to be the first South African coach to win in England, and the first to win in Australia. "The only thing I didn't achieve was an ICC trophy." Majola said there would be a board meeting on 19 February when a new team structure is set to be announced. "Mickey's resignation came through the normal stock-taking process which followed the England home series and against the backdrop of the disappointing results of 2009," he said in a statement. "As this process unfolded and remedies were sought, Mickey expressed the very honest and humble view that he did not believe that at this stage he could continue as coach of the Proteas." Arthur's temporary replacement Van Zyl, who was assistant national coach under Bob Woolmer, Graham Ford, Eric Simons and Jennings from 1998 to 2003, has been in charge of South Africa's High Performance Centre in Pretoria. | 606: DEBATE |
The 48-year-old has less than two weeks to prepare before South Africa's first Test against the world's top-ranked side India in Nagpur on 6 February. "It's not the ideal situation to take over now, but I have worked with Mickey before," said former Glamorgan batsman Van Zyl. "I had been focusing on the high performance centre till Monday, but I will meet with the captain in Cape Town on Thursday to prepare for India." Arthur, a prolific batsman in South African domestic cricket in the 1990s, was a surprise choice to take over from Jennings as national coach. However he has impressed a number of South African cricket pundits, while overseeing the development of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Paul Harris and Hashim Amla on the international stage. New Zealand have denied approaching Arthur to replace Englishman Andy Moles, who quit as coach in October last year.
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