Smith, Arthur 'no rift'

East London - Mickey Arthur said on Wednesday that differences with the board of Cricket South Africa led to his resignation as coach of the South African team.

Arthur said he and the board disagreed on plans for the future. "I don't believe I can take the team forward under the present circumstances," he said.

Both Arthur and national captain Graeme Smith, who sat next to each other at a press conference to announce the coach's resignation, denied that a breakdown in their relationship was a factor.

Smith said it was an emotional day for both he and Arthur. He said: "The two of us have had a great partnership for five years."

Smith said it was hurtful to see newspaper reports that Arthur had resigned because of an irreparable breakdown in their relationship. "We spoke several times on the phone yesterday," he said.

Cricket SA chief executive Gerald Majola announced at the press conference that the national selectors, headed by former South African all-rounder Mike Procter, had been fired as part of what he described as a "restructuring" of the national team set-up.

Asked to elaborate on the differences between Arthur and the board, Majola said that the board wanted to change a situation whereby the coach appointed his own support staff.

Majola said Arthur had done "very well" in taking South Africa to the number one ranking in both Test and one-day international cricket but that the board believed the structure needed to be changed for the team to advance to the next level after disappointing recent results.

Van Zyl has also been appointed to a three-man interim selection panel, along with former Test captain Kepler Wessels and Majola, who will be the convenor.

Majola said there would be a board meeting on February 19 at which it was hoped to finalise a new structure for the team.

In a statement, Majola, said Arthur's resignation, "came through the normal stock-taking process which followed the 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.

"In the circumstances, he tendered his resignation and it is with much regret that the CSA Board accepted it. The Board wishes to thank Mickey for his great contribution to the advancement of the Proteas to the point where in 2008/09 they had their best season ever and finished on top of the world Test and ODI rankings.

"They have slipped down both logs since then and CSA is determined to get them back to the top. We have accepted Mickey's view that a change at the coaching helm is needed, and we have made this as seamless as possible by bringing in on a caretaker basis the considerable expertise of Corrie van Zyl."