The television reporter was working the angle hard. The story was not just theHighveld Lions taking on the Titans in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge final at the Wanderers tomorrow, but the tale of the success of the new coach, Geoffrey Toyana, who had guided them there.
What impact had the coach had on the team’s performances this season, Alviro Petersen, captain of the Lions, was asked. “How much impact? I don’t know because he didn’t bat, he didn’t bowl, he didn’t field, he didn’t take catches or anything,” deadpanned Alviro Petersen. “He’s a calm sort of guy, so he’s done well. We must give credit to him, if that’s what you mean.”
That was what was meant. Toyana, in the first year of a two-year contract, is having the sort of season that coaches dream about.
The Lions have reached three finals in his first season, two domestic and one international, and were runners up in the first-class competition. They have also won a trophy, the Momentum One-Day Cup they were forced to share with the Cape Cobras after rain spoilt the show.
Promoted from assistant to head coach after the Lions and Dave Nosworthy parted ways, Toyana was yesterday rewarded with a further honour when he was named coach of the South Africa Emerging Squad that will play a quadrangular T20 tournament in Namibia from April 19-24 against Namibia, Kenya and the Netherlands.
“Geoffrey has done very well in his first season at franchise level,” said Cricket South Africa High Performance coach Vinnie Barnes in a statement.
There is a final to be won tomorrow, though, and Toyana has already been on the receiving end of some gentle ribbing from his players and friends.
“Hopefully it’s third time lucky this time,” said Toyana. “The guys have been giving me hell this week, saying you have to win this one. The biggest thing for us, though, is that we are quite relaxed as a squad, and quite close together as a team, so on the day we will hopefully pull through.
“They’ve responded well to my coaching style. They’re a happy bunch. The key thing in my coaching is that I try to let guys enjoy themselves. I think it’s working so far, and hopefully it will work tomorrow. The key (in the final) will be the first six overs with bat and with ball. If we can throw that first punch then we will be in with a chance,” said Toyana, who confirmed the Lions would bat first if they won the toss.
Jean Symes, who will captain the South African Emerging Squad, said Toyana’s secret was his ability to channel talent and energy, to give it a direction and allow the players freedom to express themselves.
“Geoff has been amazing, and not just this season, but ever since he was the assistant coach,” said Symes.
“Now that he’s head coach, he lets all the characters in the team be characters because he’s a character himself. He gives us freedom to play the way we want to. He’s made the guys comfortable on and off the field, and if the guys are comfortable they will give him their best.
“He brings out the best in the guys, and backs them 100 percent. It doesn’t matter whether they’ve played on the day or not, and he knows that we’re 100 percent behind him.
“Geoff has made it a very nice, relaxed environment, but that said, you know that you are accountable for what comes after that.
“He puts in the hard yards with us. He doesn’t let the boys train on their own. He joins in every single training session.”
Petersen said the Lions held no “grudge” over their loss to the Titans at the Wanderers last season when they lost the T20 final by 45 runs after Faf du Plessis had tied them up in knots on April 1 last year.
They have experienced a similar season to 2011-12, dominating from the start before stuttering slightly before the final few matches and then coming right.
“We’ve played some good consistent cricket this season. The guys just need some luck,” said Toyana.
“We didn’t pitch in the final of the Champions League (against the Sydney Sixers at the Wanderers in October), but the guys are coming through nicely, like in that Friday night (in the One-Day Cup final) against the Cobras when it rained. The guys have learnt their lesson.
“We are playing at home. I’m sure the Titans will be scared to come to the Bull Ring because we will be ready for them.” - Saturday Star