Durban– The Dolphins will decide their new coach by the end of the week with either former player Lance Klusener or ex-Cape Cobras boss Shukri Conrad set to be named, union president Fa-eez Jaffar has confirmed.
The Durban franchise has been without a full-time coach since Graham Ford’s surprise decision to step down in January.
Klusener, who spent his entire domestic playing career at the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union (KZNCU), was appointed on an interim basis until the conclusion of the 2011/12 season at the end of March.
The former Proteas all-rounder was one of 16 applicants for the full-time post, before the list was narrowed down to six Ä
including former SA Academy coach Grant Morgan, New Zealander Grant Bradburn and West Indians Vasbert Drakes and Eldine Baptiste.
The shortlist has been whittled down to two in recent weeks, with the remaining pair to undergo final assessments on Friday.
“The two gentlemen are going to sit for a psychometric test on Friday and we’re hoping that will give us a clearer picture on the way forward,” said Jaffar, the KZNCU president.
“If everything goes to plan, we’re hoping to make the announcement by Friday evening.
“The test will tell us a lot more about the individuals, how they react under pressure, their behavior towards people, their decision-making ability, their personalities, etc.
“It’s a normal process that’s not spoken too much about.
“We, as the selection panel, were at a stalemate where we had two candidates and could not make up our minds who the best one was.”
Klusener is widely considered the sentimental choice, considering his past exploits for both province and country, and he adapted well during his near-three month stint at the start of the year when he led the Dolphins to their only win of the SuperSport Series campaign.
Conrad, on the other hand, has an impressive CV after guiding the Cobras to three trophies in five years, including a SuperSport Series title in his last season in charge, before departing in April 2010.
“It’s a tough decision either way,” Jaffar said.
“Both candidates have presented excellent cases and we’re confident the right man will be in place by the end of the week.”
Jaffar insisted that the drawn out process to appoint a new coach Ä the search began in early April Ä had not hampered planning for the new season.
“We wanted to have a proper process in place,” he said.
“Unfortunately these things do take time. There were candidates from overseas and getting hold of everyone at the right time is a lengthy process.
“I don’t think the delay is a factor. We just needed to ensure we got the right man in place because, at the end of the day, it’s a business decision.” – Sapa