Arthur poised to call time on Proteas job

Mickey Arthur's tenure as South Africa coach looks certain to come to an end on Wednesday, amid widespread reports that he has tendered his resignation.

Arthur himself has suggested it is time for somebody else to lead the Proteas but there has been no formal confirmation from Cricket South Africa, other than to convene a press conference at 7am GMT on Wednesday morning with Arthur and chief executive Gerald Majola.

Speculation that Arthur's relationship with captain Graeme Smith has suffered in recent months could be to blame for the expected parting of the ways.

Proteas team manager Mohammed Moosajee confirmed he has been in contact with 41-year-old Arthur, who was linked with the England job in the aftermath of Peter Moores' exit, but would not confirm his departure. He did, though, promise that there would be an end to the conjecture over Arthur's position.

Moosajee said: "There is a press conference - Mickey will be there, Gerald will be there for Cricket South Africa and we will watch what unfolds.

"I don't know the mechanics and the reasons behind exactly what is going on, but I have been told to come along and I will be there. I've spoken to him. He's had millions of calls but he seems to be in very good spirits."

Asked if Arthur had confirmed his resignation to him, Moosajee added: "No, not at all. There is so much speculation around to deal with. Part of the reason they have called this special conference is to deal with that speculation, so we will see."

Should his tenure be formally brought to an end at the conference in East London, former South Africa skipper Kepler Wessels believes the side will miss Arthur's input.

Wessels told www.iafrica.com: "There has been some speculation in the last couple of weeks, so it is not a total surprise. I still think it is sad, (Arthur) did a good job for South Africa."

With a tour to India due to begin at the end of the week, South Africa's high performance centre director Corrie van Zyl could be asked to take temporary charge of team affairs.