Graeme Smith appointed Head Coach of Benoni Zalmi

Former South African skipper Graeme Smith has been named as head coach of franchise Benoni Zalmi in the T20 Global League. Franchise owner Javed Afridi announced the news that Smith is ideal individual to lead a group of young players who will form core group of the side for the league.

Smith represented South Africa in 117 Tests and last played against Australia at home in 2014. The former opener’s first task will be to pick a young group of players that will picked for the draft in the auction process. Geoffrey Toyana will serve as Assistant coach to Smith. There is also some interesting developments elsewhere as Paddy Upton is chosen to be head coach of Durban Qalandars, while  Stellenbosch Monarchs has roped in Stephen Fleming as head coach of the side.

The T20 Global League is set to be a harbinger of hope for cricket in South Africa and is a step forward to make sure their is an end to the exodus of cricketing talent from South Africa. The recent Kolpak signings has seen Cricket South Africa take more concrete measures to make sure players attain more financial security playing representing the National side.