SA20: Johannesburg Super Kings name Stephen Fleming as head coach

South Africa’s SA20 tfranchise Johannesburg Super Kings (JSK) have roped in former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming as their head coach. Fleming, who is also the coach of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), will be on board with former CSK player Faf du Plessis, who is appointed as the captain of the side. Both CSK and SA20 team JSK are owned by Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL).

Fleming will also reunite with CSK all-rounder Moeen Ali and support staff members Albie Morkel and Eric Simons as the assistant coaches. Earlier in the week, Fleming expressed his desire to build a “CSK culture” in JSK. The former New Zealand captain said that working with people they are comfortable with in a familiar environment can develop the “culture” much quicker. Fleming played for CSK in the 2008 IPL season and has been the coach of the team since the following season.

“When you get people that you feel really comfortable with, the environment and who you’re with, the culture develops a lot quicker,” Fleming said in a video on CSK’s Youtube channel. “And once you start to get that cohesion and those connections, the longer you can stay together or the more often you can get together, we think there’s an advantage in that.”

Fleming also stressed the longstanding relationships that the CSK players have built over the period, saying that it hurts them when they lose players. He further elaborated that relationships are important and the support staff have been together.

“The thread of CSK runs pretty deep,” said the former New Zealand batter. “Thankfully, through an owner and an ownership that really understands cricket and gives us the opportunity to explore these leadership styles, we’re able to have a really good model that allows people to feel comfortable and be the best they can be, achieve as much as they can in their time with us.”