Replacing Walter won’t be simple, but somebody has do do it

South Africa's White-Ball Coach Rob Walter Resigns

After a tenure marked by controversy and criticism, Walter's departure leaves a power vacuum that could be filled by Shukri Conrad, the red-ball coach.

CSA timed the Rob Walter announcement perfectly, with South Africa's men's white-ball teams set to take a break until midway through July. Walter's resignation was attributed to personal reasons, but his departure has sparked calls for Conrad to take the reins in all formats.

Conrad has taken a team of limited resources and playing opportunities all the way to the WTC final, and his experience and canny approach make him a strong candidate to lead South Africa's white-ball teams. However, his identity as a brown Capetonian has raised questions about the role of identity politics in the selection process.

Walter's tenure was marked by criticism of his teams' performance in bilateral matches, with the team winning only 33 of 67 games across formats. The coach's inability to pick his strongest squad due to franchise commitments has been a recurring issue, and Conrad faces a similar challenge.

Despite Conrad's experience and success, the selection process remains mired in controversy. The Warriors' coach, Robin Peterson, was fined and docked points for selecting a brown player in a domestic match, highlighting the need for a more representative team.

Conrad's appointment would be a significant step towards addressing the imbalances in South Africa's cricket team, but the selection process remains a complex issue that requires careful consideration.