Betway SA20 champion Robin Peterson says he is in no rush to coach the Proteas as he is currently enjoying “the best of both worlds”.
Peterson recently guided MI Cape Town to a first-ever Betway SA20 championship title. The former Proteas all-rounder is also the head coach of the Warriors in the Cricket SA domestic first-class competition where he’s nurtured a number of bright young local talents.
The 45-year-old, who played 115 internationals across formats for the Proteas, is one of the most qualified coaches in the country with Peterson possessing a Masters in Sports Directorship from Manchester Metropolitan University.
“I don't think in coaching I have goals. I think I just try and do well for the team that I'm with,” Peterson said in an exclusive interview on the Indy Sports Show.
“I think it's always going to be there - to coach your country is an absolute privilege - so you know, I think if that opportunity presents itself, it's hard to say no. But at this stage, I think where I am and what I'm doing, I'm enjoying it.
“The franchise stuff with MI and then coming down to the Warriors, it's a totally different role again that you play over here. It's almost contrasting roles, where you get the taste of franchise cricket and the high pressure that you have to win all the time.
“At the Warriors, yes, we want to win, but there's a lot of young players that you have to learn, teach them how to play and develop them.
“I kind of get the best of both worlds right now, but if that call ever came in the future in a couple of years and I've gathered a lot of experience, then yeah, sure, why not?
“You can't turn down your country!”
Peterson stressed that he certainly is enjoying his time with the Mumbai Indians franchise, having started his journey there as a player in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and now coaching both MI Cape Town and MI New York in the SA20 and Major League Cricket respectively.
“It's a great franchise to be part of. I was fortunate enough to play for them in the IPL too. So I've got a long history with them.
“You know, they helped me with a couple of projects on the side, leading up into all the league teams that they purchased. I've had an ongoing relationship with them for a long time. So that gives you a sense that they do like to keep their own around for long periods of time.
“As a player and as a coach, you do feel that they definitely have that family vibe and they look after their players. It's no secret that the players get well looked after. Anything that they need to help the team perform, they provide it.
“But, you know, it does come with its challenges, like the challenges that you have to win. At the end of the day, when you're with that franchise, that's what it's about.
“They've got more trophies in the cabinet than any franchise in world cricket. So that expectation is always there. There was a bit of pressure on us going into this year and I'm just glad the boys delivered.”