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Bacher tells Cronje country comes first

Hansie Cronje received qualified South African support for his plan to coach Glamorgan but was warned not to let it interfere with his obligations to the national team.

South Africa captain Cronje said earlier in the day he was in the process of concluding a two-year deal with Glamorgan chief executive Mike Fatkin to coach the side in the English County Championship.

Ali Bacher, United Cricket Board of South Africa managing director, gave Cronje qualified backing.

''Hansie is a vital member of the South African team and he cannot and will not be lost to South African cricket during this important time in our history,'' Bacher told said.

''We have no problem, in principle, with Hansie spending two of our winters coaching Glamorgan. It can only expand and broaden his knowledge of the game and make him even more qualified in all aspects of cricket.

''But we have a major and fundamental problem if it interferes with his role for South Africa and in particular with the tour to Sri Lanka at the end of July and August next season.

''I will be contacting Glamorgan as soon as possible on Friday to convey our concerns and clarify Hansie's availability for that tour.

''If he prepares for it by batting in Glamorgan's nets and getting into form, then great, but he must be available.''

Cronje was widely believed to have put his position in jeopardy by accepting the Glamorgan job but Bacher was at pains to stress that he was still important to the national side in the medium and even long term.

As the senior captain in international cricket Cronje's leadership went unquestioned in South Africa until, surprisingly, he was re-appointed by new selection convenor Rushdie Magiet for just the first two Tests of the forthcoming five-Test home series against England.

Cronje said of the Glamorgan coaching job: ''It just seemed like a golden opportunity to spend six months of the year with my wife while accepting a very exciting challenge and keeping my career going.

''Coaching wasn't in my thoughts until very recently but I'm extremely excited about the prospect.''

He is to take up the post at the beginning of next April. South Africa's three-Test tour of Sri Lanka follows in July and August.

Cronje said he had not spoken to Bacher. ''When the deal is signed and concluded then we will discuss the tour and my future,'' he said.

''As for the second season (at Glamorgan), I think it's fair to say that is a very long way in the future for a player of 30 who has played as much as I have.

''I've played a lot of international cricket and I've learned a lot about mental strength, physical preparation and how to be competitive.

''Glamorgan have done well in recent times and with Jacques (Kallis) playing another season next year I'm very optimistic for more success.''

UNI