These old dogs still have the biggest bite: SA20 finalists hail evergreen Ford and Birrell

Old dogs might not readily learn new tricks, but they invariably still possess a nasty bite.

One of the interesting features of Pretoria Capitals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape's respective marches to Saturday's SA20 final at the Wanderers is that the franchises are mentored by the two oldest coaches in the tournament, 62-year-olds Graham Ford and Adi Birrell.

The most obvious thing to point out in this regard is the two men's longevity and adaptability in a cricketing landscape that is increasingly data-driven and demanding of innovation.

Perhaps more frustratingly for the South African cricketing fraternity, it's a teasing glimpse into the intellectual capital that the local game can boast.

Indeed, Ford and Birrell head a group of coaches that also includes Lance Klusener, JP Duminy, Jacques Kallis, Dale Benkenstein, Hashim Amla, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn, among others.

The only problem is that South African cricket - with the exception of Duminy - currently only have these men in the system for the duration of the SA20.

When the dust settles, they're scattered all over again.

It's true that South African cricket needs to grow its new generation of coaches, but it feels wasteful when a guy like Ford - who's coached the Proteas, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Kent and Surrey - or Birrell - Proteas assistant, Hampshire, Ireland, Boland - aren't more regularly around.   

Pretoria's team management is particularly star-studded, with former Proteas Dale Benkenstein and Jacques Kallis both being assistants to Ford.

According to Capitals skipper Wayne Parnell, calmness and clarity have characterised the table-toppers campaign.

"Fordie is vastly experienced. He's coached all around the world, and he's just really such a calm, easy-going type of