Former Proteas coach Russell Domingo is once again available, having recently resigned from his role as Bangladesh coach.
In the time since he was demoted from the Proteas’ role in 2017, Domingo has gathered experience abroad.
Domingo took Bangladesh forward
Domingo inarguably took Bangladesh forward during his time with the Tigers, the culture clash which ultimately saw him depart the team notwithstanding.
His first national team job was as the T20 coach – and the Proteas might consider him for that role or one as the white-ball coach.
It has been in T20 cricket that Domingo’s work with Bangladesh has yielded the most fruit. A first T20I win against India and first series wins against Sri Lanka and Australia came for a team that still has its limitations.
Domingo primed for SA return
Working within a framework of serious limitations and constant political interference in Bangladesh might even have helped prepare Domingo for working with Cricket South Africa.
The Proteas would benefit from having the coaching situation sorted out in short order.
Despite reaching the decision to let Mark Boucher go as coach before the T20 World Cup, somehow CSA have been unable to nail down a new coaching solution beyond appointing interim head coach Malibongwe Maketa.
With the SA20 dominating the thinking at CSA for now, finding someone to fill the role of national team seems to be on the backburner.
Appoint Domingo before World Cup
If Domingo is willing to jump in and take charge of the white-ball vision, it would be the first step to getting this team to genuinely compete at the 2023 World Cup.
To be competitive at the World Cup, of course, the Proteas will have to first reach the World Cup, likely through a tricky World Cup qualifying tournament.
With no clear and immediate candidate to take charge of the Proteas with the urgent World Cup assignments looming, the team could do worse than appointing Domingo to the role.