Cricket
I'm not a traitor - Simons
2010-01-11 22:45
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Eric Simons (Gallo Images)
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Johann de JagerBloemfontein – Eric Simons does not feel he has betrayed South Africa by taking on the role as India’s new bowling consultant.
Simons, a former national coach, will have his baptism of fire against the Proteas in a few weeks’ time, although he will already assist head coach Gary Kirsten in the coming series against Bangladesh.
Simons finished the necessary paperwork on Monday and leaves on Friday to join Kirsten and the Indian team in Bangladesh.
Simons said that he would keep a close eye on Bangladesh, after which the series against South Africa – he coached the Proteas until 2004 – will be his real test.
“It feels strange that it will be against my own country. That is the way it goes in professional sport these days. Gary has been with them for a while and Andy Flower of Zimbabwe is England’s coach,” he said.
Simons, 47, said things had happened quickly last week.
He will first see how things work out, but a full-time appointment is not out of the question.
Simons undertook a number of tours as player and also as coach in neighbouring Pakistan, and his knowledge of the conditions will help him in his new role.
He has not yet, however, perfected his recipe on how to beat the broad bat of Jacques Kallis.
Kirsten has been India’s head coach since March 2008. His baptism of fire was against South Africa and the series of three Tests ended 1-1.