Blitz is back

It just seems right.

For one reason or another, a couple of legends have been busy plying their trade elsewhere and subsequently fueling their CV’s, but now the lure of work at home has delivered a massive bonus to all South Africans. Gazza is back and so is Blitz. It doesn’t get much better. The addition of a very capable lieutenant in Russell Domingo completes an exciting and progressive trio with all the attributes to take things to the next level.

I'd like to turn my attention to Allan.

South Africa has eventually secured the services of one of its favourite sons. He was there for all in his playing days, snarling and muttering and putting his shoulder to the wheel when times got tough in the heat of the day. He was the ‘go to’ bowler. The skipper would toss him the kookaburra when he needed a wicket because he knew he would deliver.

He would charge in and wear his heart on his sleeve and sling thunderbolts at hapless victims time and time again. It was one of the most stimulating sights in cricket. When he was bowling well, South Africans knew an acceptable result was not far away. As happy as you might be that he is now back in the fold, I can tell you that no-one will be happier than Blitz.

It never sat comfortably with me that he was previously shunned. The logic seemed shallow and smacked of a hidden agenda. It actually irked me when I saw him in earlier times wearing the national colours of England, and more recently New Zealand. If you speak to those who were involved during the time he spent with those nations, they all say he made a big difference.

A common thread in those discussions is his attitude and his drive. He loves empowering individuals and giving them the confidence to take their game to the next level. He will get them thinking more and believing in their craft. He has no time for bowlers who just go through the motions and who don’t take advantage of the opportunity to expand their knowledge and improve their skill base. He will ensure that no-one shirks responsibility or underachieves.

AD will be educating from a position of strength. Close your eyes and think of him in his heyday. His eyes were always full of burning desire and ambition as he was tearing in, singularly locked on his target who had nowhere to hide. He strained every sinew in his body in an effort to achieve the desired result. He did so with fire in his belly. He was no quitter; he was a winner. That’s what we all liked about him.

He is not decorated with all the oft preferred coaching degrees, and if that was a prerequisite, then he would not have gotten out of the starting blocks with this one. Thankfully he will never preach directly from the coaching manual and produce robots. He will fit the bill with passionate and instinctive instruction and will command respect from his students and peers because he has been there and done it.

The bloke I call Blitz is back and will proudly be serving his country again, this time as bowling coach. I know that he will be bursting with pride when he somewhat belatedly dons the South African national colours in his new role.

You wouldn’t want it any other way.