Prolific Indian opener Gautam Gambhir feels that the Indian Cricket Board should renew the contract of coach Gary Kirsten after it expires at the end of the Cricket World Cup next year.

“Gary is the best coach India has ever had. I have often said that and I keep on stressing that we need Gary. I don’t need to speak much about him. His fabulous record speaks for itself. He has been a great man-manager. So I believe that he should be retained after the World Cup also,” Gambhir said at the sidelines of a promotional event here.

Gambhir is thus the latest among the Indian stars to join the bandwagon who want the South African to be retained as Cricket South Africa wants him to take over once he finishes his stint with the Indian team.

The opener also supported Kirsten’s idea of sending the top-order batsmen to South Africa, a week in advance so that they can get themselves acclimatised to the pace and bounce of wickets over there.

“We haven’t played much cricket in South Africa of late. So it will be a great idea if we go there a bit early to get used to the conditions. If such a thing happens, it may just work in our favour,” Gambhir said.

He also reiterated that one can’t continue his blazing form for life and there is bound to be ups and downs.

“Right now I am coming back from injury. It’s always a difficult thing when you come back from injury. Only when you spend considerable time out there in the middle, you get to know how it’s shaping up for you,” he said.

The Delhi batsman also feels that just because Bangladesh whipped New Zealand 4-0 in the ODI series, it did not mean that it will be a cakewalk for the Indians when they meet the Black Caps from November 4.

“You can never take any international opposition lightly. Just because Bangladesh beat them 4-0 doesn’t mean that we can take it easy against the New Zealanders. Their team consists of some proven match-winners who can turn a match head on. So we need to be very careful and can’t take things for granted,” Gambhir said.

On a lighter vein, he said that walking ramp is tough but not as tough as opening the batting for the country.

He also said that he hasn’t seen the likes of Yuvraj Singhs and Mahendra Singh Dhonis walk the ramp but said that a cricketer’s endeavour is to perform on field rather than score points off it.

The Proteas are keen to have their former star batsman Gary Kirsten as national team’s coach next year, but Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is reportedly among those pushing to have the South African’s contract as Indian coach renewed.

Kirsten had gained respect and popularity after taking over as coach of the Indian side in March 2008, a weekly said, adding that this was boosted by India’s victory against Australia earlier this month in Test series.

With Corrie van Zyl having announced his decision to retire as South African coach after the World Cup in March next year, Kirsten is one of those being eyed for the position by Cricket South Africa (CSA), according to insiders.

But whether Kirsten would be available when his contract with India ends after the World Cup, will also depend on India’s performance in the tournament.

Current Indian players, especially the senior members of the team like Sachin Tendulkar and Dhoni are believed to be so impressed with Kirsten that they might even put pressure on the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) to offer him a new contract, the weekly reported.

It further said that Kirsten would be able to dictate his own pay cheque if India won the tournament.

South African cricket fans say 2008 was the most successful year for the country’s cricket team, according to an internet survey. 

The survey conducted by Cricket South Africa (CSA) found that 96 percent of the fans who took part in the exercise believe 2008 was the most successful year for the South African cricket.

The survey drew nearly 550 responses, Pakistan’s Online news agency said.

CSA CEO Gerald Majola said the online fan survey demonstrated the kind of support cricket enjoyed among the people in South Africa.

“This support is graphically illustrated in the most positive response to the online fan survey conducted on CSA’s website,” he said.

“We will study the results to ensure that we keep in touch with the fans. Their support was a critical factor in taking the Proteas to the world’s top ODI spot and second in the Test rankings, and achieving the best results in South African cricket history over the 2008-09 season,” he said.

From May last year to April 2009, the Proteas achieved unparalleled success in the history of South African cricket, including the Test series triumph in England and Australia, Majola said.

The final report on the fan survey will be released in the next few weeks, he added.

Cricket South Africa on Thursday said it will consider hosting the ICC Champions Trophy tournament in September this year once it receives an official invitation for the same.

CSA chief executive Gerald Majola said in a statement that they would consider the option once they receive an official message from the ICC expected next week.

“We have asked the ICC to provide us with a financial model and our board will discuss the matter once we have received this model and an official ICC invitation,” he said.

“We would also have to follow the Government protocols for hosting a major international event. If the finances and protocols are right and our board agrees to accept the invitation, then we have the infrastructures and the expertise from recently hosting two ICC world championships to stage a successful tournament at short notice.

“It is a 12-day tournament that will require two venues which is well within our capabilities.”

The ICC on Wednesday said Sri Lanka had agreed to step aside because there could be no guarantee of favourable weather at that time of the year.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from September 24 to October 5.

Cricket South Africa has rejected claims in the local media that a decision has been taken to appoint separate captains for Tests and ODIs. 

“This is pure media speculation and does not emanate from Cricket South Africa,” said CEO, Gerald Majola following reports that separate captains would be in the country’s interest.

The speculation came to the fore after Johan Botha guided South Africa to the ODI series victory against Australia in the absence of the injured Smith, who led the team to the Test series triumph Down Under.

“Cricket South Africa’s position is straight forward and has not changed. The Board appoints its captains and vice-captains at the start of every season and those individuals remain in charge for the duration of that season unless they retire, resign or become unavailable for some other reason such as a long-term injury.

“This has clearly not happened in this case and CSA has full confidence in its leadership group who did a brilliant job in all formats of the game during the recent tour of Australia. The current media speculation is unfounded and has no factual basis,” said Majola.

Australia will visit South Africa for three Tests, two Twenty20 matches and five One-dayers and at stake is the number elite position in Test rankings.