Biff is back in my lewe.
Graeme Smith and I go back a long way.
We were both different men then.
We were both young, combative and with something to prove.
He went from a hot young thing in the Proteas team to the most successful captain in Test cricket history.
During that time I went by the name of Dickie September, writing the column from 2008 until I started writing under the name by parents gave me.
So for those who remember Dickie, you will probably remember that I had little love for Biff.
I couldn’t stand how he threw his weight around. And there was a lot of weight to throw around.
I would often point out that he was heavier than a professional sportsman should be.
It probably had a lot to do with Cricket SA having KFC as a sponsor at the time - back when they had sponsors.
I remember how frustrated I’d get with Biff’s abrasive batting style.
It was hard to watch him scratch around the crease.
BIG CLEAN: Jacques Faul. Picture: BackpagePix.
He’d somehow keep his balance when coming across the line to find a gap in the on-side or play down to fine leg.
I remember how at Newlands on 11 November 2011, he fought his way to one of his 15 centuries as skipper with not one shot seemingly going forward off his bat.
Other times, he would try to get into opponents’ head rather than getting them out.
It made me bedonnerd.
I was happy when he hung up his bat and walked out of my life.
But now he is back.
RESPECT: Enoch Nkwe. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BakckpagePix.
And I hope he brings all the things I hated about him into his job as Director of Cricket at CSA.
His new role will bring him in as someone who thinks about the game as a battle.
Being a captain with a
record 53 Test wins under his belt, his single-mindedness will be great to implement a vision for South African cricket.
Working with the currently dysfunctional board, he and interim CEO Jacques Faul could make a great team to get the game back on track.
His three-month stint might not be enough time, before he goes back to work as an IPL commentator, to clean up the mess at CSA but he may finally get some work done after his work with the Mzansi Super League fell flat.
CURSED: England's Joe Root. Picture: BackpagePix.
I’m sure his “Brave Cricket” playing philosophy for his team will drive his work now.
That was something he and then-coach Mickey Arthur came up with and I hope he values and respects whoever is Director of Cricket, with rumours flying around that Gary Kirsten could be roped in to mentor Enoch Nkwe.
After all, I’ll be quick to remind him that he has no place telling anyone how to bat, unless he wants to half their repertoire of strokes.
The best for the Proteas with Biff in charge is that they are going up against England.
Smith had an amazing record of getting three Pom captains (Nasser Hussain, 2003; Michael Vaughan, 2008 and Andrew Strauss, 2011) sacked after every tour to England.
Maybe that means Joe Root’s span will go home with their tails between their legs and a new tosser leading the team.