Cobras batsman Stiaan van Zyl is out of action, while the Titans have extended their coach’s contract and a servant of South African cricket has passed away.

Titans head coach Rob Walter has signed a three-year contract extension.

Walter was initially contracted until the end of the 2014-15 season, but the agreement will stretch the stay until 2017.

The former Proteas fitness trainer and fielding coach joined the franchise last year, soon leading the Titans to a shared Momentum One Day Cup title with the Cape Cobras – and a semi-final finish in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge.

‘It is a huge honour to be given this extension and I am grateful for the faith that all parties have shown in me, that said nothing has changed in my commitment to continue the process of growing the Titans franchise into the leading team in the country,’ said Walter.

In Cape Town, the Cobras have revealed that they will have to do without Stiaan van Zyl during the opening rounds of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge. Paul Adams, the Cobras coach, confirmed that Van Zyl might be out for three to four weeks after suffering a grade-two groin tear while fielding on the boundary during last Friday’s Momentum One Day Cup match against the Titans in Centurion.

Cricket South Africa, meanwhile, have paid tribute to the late doctor Richard Stretch. The 65-year-old Stretch died on Monday, after a brief illness.

Stretch was a formidable wicketkeeper-batsman during a solid first-class career between 1979 and 1982. He later served as Border Cricket president – and was member of CSA’s medical committee.

He was director of sport at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University at the time of his death.

‘Richard made notable contributions to cricket both as a player and as an administrator. On behalf of the CSA family, I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,’ said CSA CEO Haroon Lorgat.

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