Former South Africa batting coach Neil McKenzie during the 2016 International T20 Series cricket match between South Africa and England at The Wanderers, Johannesburg on 21 February 2016 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
MSL T20: Neil McKenzie roped in by struggling Jozi Stars
Defending Mzansi Super League champions, Jozi Stars have announced the appointment of ex-Proteas batsman Neil McKenzie.
Former South Africa batting coach Neil McKenzie during the 2016 International T20 Series cricket match between South Africa and England at The Wanderers, Johannesburg on 21 February 2016 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Former Proteas batsman Neil McKenzie has linked up with the Jozi Stars, midway through the ongoing Mzansi Super League (MSL) T20 tournament.
The 43-year-old is fresh from a stint with Banglandesh, where he worked as a batting consulted during the recent Cricket World Cup.
He joins the backroom staff at the Johannesburg-based outfit, who are the MSL T20 reigning champions.
Neil McKenzie joins Jozi Stars
Cricket South Africa made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon.
‘It is great to have Neil join our team,” Jono Leaf-Wright, chief executive of the Gauteng Lions, confirmed in a statement.
“He was always joining the side at this stage of the tournament due to his international commitments and we are excited to have him on board until the end of the tournament where hopefully the Jozi Stars will be crowned champions once again. We have not had a good start to MSL 2.0 but if you cast your mind back to 2018 we also had a poor start and then went on and won the event. We are still excited and feel we can win this season and with Neil joining our current management group I am sure we will get an extra edge with his support, advice and guidance.”
Jozi Stars search for turn-around of fortunes
McKenzie joins Proteas interim team manager Enoch Nkwe, who is head coach of the Jozi Stars.
The defending champions have not enjoyed the best start to their title defence, despite living up to their name in terms of playing personnel.
The Stars have at their disposal Proteas such as Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen and Kagiso Rabada, as well as global superstars in West Indies legend Chris Gayle and Australian all-rounder Dan Christian. However, they are yet to truly show up at the 2019 edition of the MSL, losing all four of their matches played so far.
The appointment of McKenzie comes just in time for him to put the players through the paces ahead for their next fixture, an away trip to face the Paarl Rocks at Boland Park on Friday.
McKenzie played for the Proteas between 2000 and 2009, playing 58 Tests and 64 One Day Internationals, as well as two T20 Internationals.
He was named one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2009, alongside countrymen Mark Boucher and Dale Benkenstein, with English pair James Anderson and Claire Taylor also on the list.
