'My vision for team differed from Cricket South Africa's,' says Arthur

East London (S.Africa), Jan.27 (ANI): Outgoing South African cricket team coach Mickey Arthur today said that he resigned because his vision for the national squad was at cross-purpose to the plans being decided by Cricket South Africa.

"I am disappointed, because when I started there I said I wanted to get South Africa to No. 1 in both forms of the game, I wanted to be the first South African coach to win in England, and the first to win in Australia," Arthur said at a press conference here.

"The only thing I didn't achieve was an ICC trophy," he added

"I'm not going to be jumping into anything too soon and I might dabble into a few other things and see where that takes me. I think I will consider anything that comes down the line. I will sit and wait for the right opportunity and the best opportunity where I can make an impact," Arthur said.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith said: "The two of us have had a great partnership over five years, we had a good relationship, Mickey was integral in bringing a lot of calm to the team. Yesterday was a very tough day for us."

"I think its natural for the players to have some emotion now, Mickey has been part of our life for five years. The players will try and be as professional as possible. We know this [India] is an important tour," he added.

Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola revealed that the entire structure of Cricket South Africa would be changed at a meeting on February 19.

He also said that an interim selection committee comprising himself, interim coach Corrie van Zyl and ex-skipper Kepler Wessels would decide the team for the India tour.

"We believe as a board that Mickey has been very successful. The entire structure of Cricket South Africa will be changed at the meeting on the February 19," he said.

Van Zyl said:"It's not the ideal situation to take over now, but I have been worked with Mickey before. I have been focusing on the high performance centre up till Monday, but I will meet with the captain in Cape Town tomorrow to prepare for India." (ANI)