Crucial tournament looms for Domingo

A year from today, South Africa could embark on (yet another) major tournament trophy hunt with a new coach. That’s not just because Russell Domingo is under pressure to keep his job, which he is, but because his contract expires at the end of April 2017 and the only way he can ensure he is awarded another is by improving his record in the next few months, specifically in the upcoming triangular series in the Caribbean.

The tournament, against West Indies and Australia, is Domingo’s best chance to show that he can turn things around for two reasons. Firstly, 50-over cricket is his strongest suit, so if South Africa are to be convinced he is the right man to help them win a trophy, it will likely be in this format and, secondly, even though South Africa have a busy schedule over the next few months, he won’t have many more building-phase opportunities like this.

Under Domingo, South Africa have performed the best in ODIs, where they are also the highest-ranked, in third position. Since July 2013, when Domingo took over, they have won 38 out of 64 ODIs – 60% of matches played – including series wins in Sri Lanka, India, and a tri-series final against Australia in Zimbabwe. Domingo isn’t too far behind in T20 internationals either, with 20 victories from 35 games, a success rate of 57% and a ranking of fourth, but his Test numbers lag far behind. In the three years he has been in charge, South Africa have played 23 …

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