04-29-2007
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Arthur wants to stay as SA coach
BBC SPORT | Cricket | Arthur wants to stay as SA coach
South Africa coach Mickey Arthur insists he wants to keep his job, despite his side's semi-final exit at the World Cup.
Arthur, whose contract is now up for review, is under pressure following their seven-wicket thrashing by Australia in the last four.
"I would certainly like to go on for another two years," he said.
"I have sat down with the review committee and we've had a preliminary chat about that."
Both Arthur and skipper Graeme Smith have had their futures questioned as the team returned home this weekend.
And they were not helped by a statement from Cricket South Africa last week stating that there will be an investigation into the team's inconsistent displays in the West Indies.
 | There is a lot of raw emotion around but it is a time for circumspection and reflection
CSA communications manager Steve Elworthy
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"We remain deeply disappointed in the Proteas' performance in the semi-final and at the World Cup in general," said CSA chief executive Gerald Majola after Australia won with 18.3 overs to spare.
But Arthur maintained that the campaign had not been a failure.
"We can take huge positives out of the World Cup," he said.
"I know they say losing a semi-final is like kissing your sister, but there were some big performances from guys which the public have forgotten about in the aftermath of the semi-final loss."
And Arthur refuted charges that South Africa had blundered tactically, especially in the semi-final in which they slumped to 27-5 with their aggressive approach.
"That's how you have to play one-day cricket these days, you have to be very positive," he said. "I can honestly say that there was nothing we would have changed.
"Both Smith and Jacques Kallis came down the pitch in previous matches and it came off. It just didn't work on the day in the semi-final.
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I won't be making any excuses about politics
SA skipper Graeme Smith
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"Our game plan is the way to go. This is the way one-day cricket has gone, and, to an extent, I think we pioneered it. I believe our tactics and training were right."
CSA commercial and communications manager Steve Elworthy has cautioned against knee-jerk reactions to the World Cup exit.
"We have to be careful of making silly, rash decisions," he said.
"There is a lot of raw emotion around at the moment, but it is a time for circumspection and reflection.
"We need a proper debriefing and then it will be the right time to make changes, if there are to be any."
Meanwhile, Smith denied claims that racial quotas hampered their campaign after South Africa fielding coach Jonty Rhodes was quoted as saying they were hamstrung by the country's selection policies.
"I would never have said that," said Smith. "That's not an excuse.
"One of the tough things is to control at the World Cup is the outside influences on the team, when there are things said and some lies are flying around.
"I won't be making any excuses about politics."
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