Johann de Jager

Bloemfontein – Kepler Wessels will not travel with the Proteas to the World Twenty20 tournament as batting coach this month.

However, that does not mean that he will not be called upon again.

In fact, South African head coach Corrie van Zyl has revealed that Wessels has been offered a contract to help out as consultant in between his broadcasting commitments.

“He will remain a commentator, but we will also pull him in from time to time. With the long weekend I have not yet had an answer from him, but he was keen on the idea after our earlier discussions,” said Van Zyl.

Van Zyl said that details of the contract still had to be clarified with Cricket South Africa. The plan is to utilise Wessels when necessary.

Wessels is also welcome to raise issues should he spot anything while commentating.

Van Zyl added that Wessels could always offer advice.

With 12 of his 15 players for the World Twenty20 tournament still involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Van Zyl has kept a close eye on the action in India.

The tournament’s final is only on April 25 and with the Proteas playing their first game in the Caribbean on May 2, there won’t be time for a training camp.

However, the IPL offers valuable practice.

Van Zyl feels it’s not ideal for the team not to get together prior to the World Twenty20 tournament, but every player knows what will be expected of him in the West Indies.

“The information I sent them includes where a player will bat or bowl.”

The three South African players that are not in IPL action – Graeme Smith, Rory Kleinveldt and Loots Bosman – are receiving individual attention.

Van Zyl said that Kleinveldt and bowling coach Vincent Barnes had started training on Tuesday.

Smith is only allowed to start hitting balls again on April 15 after returning from the IPL with an injured finger.

Bosman is in Bloemfontein, where Van Zyl is keeping an eye on him.