Arthur resigned over disagreement with CSA

EAST LONDON, South Africa (AP)—Mickey Arthur said Wednesday he resigned as South Africa coach because he and the national cricket body had different visions for the future of the team.

Arthur said at a news conference in his home town Wednesday that Cricket South Africa “wanted to make some structural changes, it was different to what my thinking was at the time.”

“I don’t believe I can take the team forward under the present circumstances,” he said.

Arthur resigned from the post Tuesday after nearly five years in charge of the team. He said “there comes a time when you have to move on and I know in my own heart that I have taken the right decision.”

Arthur was accompanied by Proteas captain Graeme Smith, who dismissed speculation that the coach’s resignation was because of a rift between the two.

“It hurts to see him move aside,” said Smith. “We had a great partnership over five years. Mickey was integral in bringing stability and a lot of calmness to the side and he can be proud of what he achieved.”

The South Africa team could now be in for a big makeover as Proteas’ four-man selection committee headed by Mike Procter was fired by CSA on Tuesday. At least one CSA board member had accused the selectors of lagging on transformation, and selection duties will now be handled by an interim panel comprising CSA chief executive Gerald Majola, former national captain Kepler Wessels and caretaker coach Corrie van Zyl.

Majola said Arthur’s resignation “came through the normal stocktaking process which followed the recent England home series and against the backdrop of the disappointing results of 2009.”

“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,” he said.

Arthur said he was proud to have accomplished his goal of taking the team to the No. 1 spot in the test and one-day rankings.

“The only thing I didn’t achieve was winning a World Cup or other ICC event,” he said.

Van Zyl will coach the Proteas in India next month. The side leaves on Saturday, and will play two tests, followed by three ODIs.