South Africa can dominate world cricket: Kirsten

Johannesburg, March 29 (IANS) South African coach Gary Kirsten feels the Proteas have the ability to dominate world cricket.

Kirsten, who led India to the World Cup in 2011 and the No.1 spot in Test cricket, said South African has set some lofty standards to achieve in their bid to become the No.1 side in the world.

"We've set ourselves some lofty standards, and we want to be the best team in world cricket, so we're very excited about where we're going," Kirsten was quoted as saying by SAPA after the South African squad arrived here Wednesday night following a after a six-week tour of New Zealand.

For the first time since stepping down as India coach last year, Kirsten will be against the World Champions, who face South Africa in a one-off Twenty20 match here Friday.

Kirsten was happy with South Africa's performance in New Zealand, where they lost only one of nine matches on their tour, in all formats and winning all the three series.

"It was nice to go on tour and connect with all the players. We have new management, and some new players, and we were a long way from home, but we connected well as a unit. There were some really positive signs in all the formats in terms of our combinations and how we're trying to take things forward, so I thought it was a highly successful tour," said Kirsten.

"Our planning will be very important going into that England series so we'll certainly do a lot of homework. But I feel that we've taken the step that we needed to in terms of being ready to go and confront England in England. From a Test team point of view I'm happy with where we are," he said.