By accepting the PCB’s offer to become Pakistan’s head coach, Mickey Arthur has completed a unique treble. He will now have coached three international sides after first coaching a domestic team of the same country.
Arthur graduated from coaching Griqualand West and Eastern Cape to the South African national side in 2005. He then graduated from coaching Western Australia to the Australian national side in 2013. He has now moved up from being the Karachi Kings coach to taking over the Pakistan national team.
Arthur’s first task at the international level was overlooking South Africa being obliterated by Australia at the peak of their powers in Tests both home and away, and a disappointing VB series Down Under. His first major achievement was that match in Johannesburg in 2005 against South Africa, which helped his side win the ODI series against Australia.
Mickey Arthur with Michael Clarke
Whether or not Pakistan’s cricketing fortunes change is anyone’s guess
In the five years as South Africa’s coach he took the team to the top of the ODI rankings in an era still dominated by Australia. But the tenure will always be marred by failure in the two World Cups in 2007 – both ODI and T20, the latter at home. Going into the ODI World Cup in 2007 as the number one side, South Africa were seeking redemption for 2003, the removal of the ‘chokers’ label and a shot at ending Australian hegemony over ODI World Cups. In a mixed tournament, Arthur’s team saw defeat against Bangladesh and a complete demolition job by Australia in the semifinals, the latter bowling South Africa out for their lowest World Cup total.
Arthur did manage to oversee the most successful period for South Africa in Tests with the team going 9 series unbeaten at one point. It was also under Arthur that South Africa managed to beat Australia in Australia for the first time.
Jeff Lawson with Shoaib Malik
Arthur resigned after disagreements with the South African board in 2010. While many would argue that he could have gotten more out of South Africa, others would claim that the recent South African dominance, especially in Tests, was founded on the Arthur years.
Having said that, Arthur has nothing much to show on his CV ever since. It was under him that the then imminent Australian demise precipitously escalated, culminating in the shock early exit at the Champions Trophy in 2013. He was sacked 19 months into the job ahead of the Ashes.
Arthur’s time at Karachi Kings was a major disappointment as well, considering that his side could only muster two wins in the inaugural PSL. This was a Kings side backed by many to go all the way, considering the star power and balance in their squad. Karachi Kings also notoriously lacked any young breakthroughs, which everyone is expecting in Pakistan.
Mickey Arthur as South Africa coach
Arthur is Pakistan’s fifth foreign coach after Richard Pybus, Bob Woolmer, Geoff Lawson and Dav Whatmore. Foreign coaches have had mixed results with Pakistan cricket, but then so have the local coaches. What Mickey Arthur offers Pakistan cricket remains to be seen.
“I will be tough on discipline and that’s the way we can get better and better results,” the 47-year-old said in a recent interview to AFP. “I want everybody to start playing for the team and I don’t want any selfish players around.”
“Our bowling is good, but we need to lift our batting massively. I will also be tough on fielding and fitness and need players who can play long-term, and these issues are non-negotiable. I also want players who aren’t prepared to be bullied.”
Having already been involved with Pakistan cricket in the PSL, he obviously knows what the shortcomings are, and is clearly saying the right things. Echoing new chief-selector Inzamam-ul-Haq’s stance on discipline is a good start, but more crucial is his comment on Pakistan’s batting, which needs a major overhaul.
The timing of the appointment means that Arthur’s Pakistan would be facing England and Australia away in a span of six months starting from July. Sandwiched between the two daunting tours are ‘home’ series against West Indies and New Zealand, Arthur clearly has his hands full.
Whether or not Pakistan’s cricketing fortunes change is anyone’s guess, but we should expect better discipline among the ranks, which would inadvertently improve the overall performance - to what extent, it yet remains to be seen.
Arthur already has a world beating Test side led by Misbah-ul-Haq who has reiterated that he will be playing for Pakistan till the Australian tour at least. Even so, getting any positive result in England or Australia would be one of the greatest achievements for Pakistan’s most successful Test captain.
Anything less than home series wins would be failure for Arthur considering the fortress that UAE has become for Pakistan. Meanwhile, even a draw in England or Australia would be a highly commendable result.
As far as the limited-overs are concerned, things do look awfully bleak. Pakistan wouldn’t be fancied to win against any of the four sides they are expected to play till early next year - home or away.
Arthur would have to monitor his 9th ranked ODI side carefully and check whether he’s happy with the combination or even the captaincy. Both limited-overs teams are crying out for a revamp, which might give Arthur a lot more time to play with. But anything less than convincing performances at home - especially in Tests - would be detrimental for Pakistan and Arthur’s own CV.
