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World Cup 2015: All you need to know about power packed South African coaching team

Protean support staff of Domingo, Kirsten, Donald, Hussey, Langaveldt and Henderson is more daunting than their playing XI

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M Hussey, consultantG Kirsten, consultantA Donald, bowling coachC Langeveldt, technical teamC Henderson, spin consultantR Domingo, head coach
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The joke doing the rounds here is that if South Africa were to fall a couple of personnel short during their World Cup campaign, then all they have to do is find some jerseys for Gary Kirsten, Allan Donald, Michael Hussey and Charl Langeveldt and Claude Henderson. That's a World Cup-winning coach, a legendary bowler, a World Cup winner from a rival nation, and two former Test players. And to top it all, there's head coach Russell Domingo, who has masterminded the team's ascension.

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, Domingo was asked about the overwhelming number of coaching experts striving to guide AB de Villiers & Co. to their maiden World Cup triumph. After having beaten Zimbabwe in Hamilton, the Proteas take on defending champions India here on Sunday.

"The most important thing about them is their personalities. They are really good people. They come across really well. They don't impose in the space. They're respectful of the space they're working in, and don't try to flood players with information," Domingo said.

The 40-year-old, who has been in charge of this superb bunch of cricketers, then went on to describe their roles. It seemed as if he was trying as if to convince the world that sometimes too many cooks don't spoil the broth.

"Hussey is an experienced player; he knows what he would expect from a coach. Gary is an experienced coach. He's been with the side for a long time and he knows when to give information and when not to give information," he added.

He then dwelt upon the team management's decision to rope in Hussey, a batsman-par-excellence and one of the sharpest minds in the cricketing world. "His presence itself is a big plus for us. Hussey is a guy who has won a World Cup as a player. He's been in pressure situations in Australia. He's played under these conditions for a long period of time, so his presence alone will serve as a big form of motivation for our players," Domingo explained.

"He's known as a very thoughtful cricketer. He plans meticulously in his personal game. Hopefully some the things that he's learnt playing in competitions like this he can pass on to our players — whether it's in their mental preparations, their tactical strategy when going out to bat under pressure, whether it's just thinking under certain conditions. I'm not expecting him to help us to get 500 runs in the next ODI we play."

Thankfully, Domingo was asked about his utility. That would have been a cruel joke

Will SA dish out five-man pace attack?
South Africa haven't given away too much in terms of their combination for Sunday's sellout game against India, but indications are that they could attack the defending champions' Achilles' Heel with a five-man pace attack. Dale Steyn has had "a bit of sinusitis", but he expected to lead the attack at the MCG. Add Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander to the mix and you have the world's best attack. South Africa may not stop there. There's Kyle Abbott, the 6'4" right-armer from KwaZulu-Natal, left-armer Wayne Parnell and all-rounder Farhaan Behardien to choose from. Who knows, specialist leg-spinner Imran Tahir could miss the bus. Mind you, India have always a taken a liking to the Pakistan-born immigrant. In any case, JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis can always bowl a few overs of spin.

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