T20I batting coach Lance Klusener is determined to help remedy the Proteas batsmen’s apparent lack of intensity during this month’s tour of India.
Klusener has been appointed for the three T20Is in Dharamsala, Mohali and Bengaluru, after former batting coach Dale Benkenstein was removed post-World Cup this year.
‘I’ve been watching as a spectator for eight years, it’s hard to say from the outside, but what I see is a lack of intensity. That’s what I would be looking at. I hate to say it, but it just doesn’t look right,’ said Klusener.
‘I think it is intensity. It’s having a presence at the crease, and I’m only speaking from a batting point of view. I want to bring some fresh ideas; I believe if you’re doing the same things you achieve the same results. Hopefully the boys will respond and change the way they approach or think about it.’
The hard-hitting Klusener didn’t play T20I cricket during an eight-year international career from 1996 to 2004, but was formidable with the bat throughout 171 ODIs and won the Player of the Tournament award at the 1999 World Cup.
‘Why can’t David Miller do that? Why can’t Andile Phehlukwayo? Why can’t Dwaine Pretorius? Why can’t they do it tomorrow? Those are the questions I ask. I don’t think it’s technical, besides a few small things, but most of it is believing they can do that,’ added Klusener.
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