On Friday the Proteas suffered a record and humiliating 135-run defeat to India at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. In three of the four T20 Internationals against India, the World Champions scored more than 200 runs.

While Walter has led the Proteas to a Cricket World Cup semi-final in India in 2023, and a 2024 T20 World Cup final in the Caribbean, he has won just one of seven series in charge, against Ireland.

Walter said the onus is on him to get the team to deliver performances on the field.

“It’s incredibly difficult to be that honest – every coach has great pride in the job that they produce,” said Walter.

“Ultimately, the performance of the team rests with me. I’m the head coach, so I’m responsible for that.

“So to lose a series, to lose games of cricket, it never sits well. You know, if we don’t move forward as a side, that doesn’t sit well either, because ultimately, we need to continually be moving forward at the very least. There’s some instances where we’ve not grown. That’s disappointing, again.

“So, do I feel pressure from anyone other than myself? No. I feel the greatest pressure from me as a coach, who’s got great pride in the job he does, but also pride for the country and the project as a cricket team, and wanting to make sure that they represent the country well.

“That’s where the pressure comes because tonight is not a good example of how we want to play. Losing a series is not what we want to stamp our name towards. And certainly, beginning with me, that’s highly disappointing. I want the team to be better and it starts with me being better for the team.”

The Proteas’ next T20 International is on 10 December against Pakistan at Kingsmead in Durban.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg