DURBAN, May 21: South Africa have appointed fielding superstar Jonty Rhodes as ODI specialist coach to help in their preparations for the 2007 World Cup.

Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola said Rhodes’ inclusion in the team management was part of a larger strategic plan targeting the quadrennial event in the West Indies in March-April next year.

“The strategic plan is aimed at leaving no stone unturned in order to give the Proteas the very best preparation available,” Majola said.

“We will be using all the expertise at our disposal in this plan. For instance, we have added Rhodes to the Proteas management team as an ODI specialist from now until after the World Cup.”—Agencies