Jennings plans to fight England fire with fire

Ray Jennings, South Africa's outspoken new coach, throws down the gauntlet to England's batsmen in an interview for the January issue of The Wisden Cricketer magazine, which comes out on the same day as the first Test at Port Elizabeth starts - Friday, December 17.

"I'm looking forward to fighting England's firepower with our own: I want Ntini to get used to drawing blood again, says Jennings. "I'd like us to look seriously at throwing in a wild card like Dale Steyn, who I rate. If England fire a rifle, I want to fire a cannon. If they fire a pea-shooter, I want us to be firing a bazooka."

Big egos and prima donnas cut no ice with Jennings. "I don't believe in them. If you're like that you've got a major problem. I believe in feet on the ground, no matter what giddy heights you may touch. It applies to business as much as sport, and it applies to life."

Jacques Kallis, South Africa's star allrounder, may not be looking forward to his workload in the series. Jennings outlines his thoughts on how far Kallis should be pushed: "Kallis must understand he's a high-powered guy, gets paid well and wants to be the world's best allrounder. I would rather burn Jacques out at 30 or 32, playing to the level I know he can play at, than drag him out to age 38 and have him firing at 50% for the next 10 years! I'm gonna turn on the heat, make or break him. No soft option. Treat people softly and they'll become soft."

The message to the high-profile opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs is no less stark. "Sometimes talent is over-rated. I'd rather see a guy of half the talent and double the right attitude," says Jennings. "A bad attitude can leave you stone cold. I want a consistently solid performance with a touch of brilliance all the time. As we speak I don't get a warm feeling that Herschelle subscribes to my vision."

At least Jennings and Graeme Smith, South Africa's captain, appear to have struck up a rapport. "Fortunately, there have never been any issues between us that required any ironing out - we started clean," Jennings says. "What I've suggested to Graeme with Phase One up to May is this: let me control the mentoring process, the attitude of the side, the vibe and the passion. Graeme will take on-field decisions, and I will support him with my views and suggestions. I don't want him to feel smothered. I want the mood in the side right, first and foremost.

"I want every player, and I mean every player, respecting the captain," concludes Jennings. "He's a breath of fresh air, a youngster who wants to walk the tightrope. Younger people think they can break down walls; I encourage that attitude. I think with the difficulties he's experienced since his golden start, he's become conservative."

The full version of this interview appears in the January issue of the Wisden Cricketer.
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