UCB's revised selection policy condemned as ``too little; too late''
By Bob Dubery
7 December 1998
JOHANNESBURG - Monday December 12th.
The furore over the United Cricket Board's selectorial policies gained
intensity today.
In response to criticism over the selection of a squad with only one
non-white player and an all white playing eleven for the first Test of
the current series against the West Indies, the UCB had taken steps to
ensure that coloured players were to be given every chance to play for
South Africa.
These steps included the setting up of a special committee to monitor
the selection process, to intervene if no coloured players were named
in a squad and to make recommendations to the selection panel; a
mandated quota of non-white players in provincial squads of limited
size next season; and a policy of including black players on grounds
other than merit for any match that cannot effect the outcome of a
series.
The UCB's heavily sponsored development program and various provincial
mentoring programs would remain in place.
However the National Sports Council, a non-governmental body, has
reacted angrily to these announcements. NSC president Mluleki George
has claimed that cricket officials, especially UCB managing director
Ali Bacher, had taken black administrators for a ride.
``Bacher, who professes to be a liberal, has been reckless of later and
has used black administrators to further his and cricket's interests,''
said George. ``We made a mistake of trusting him.''
George echoed the accusation made by Minister of Sport Steve Tshwete
that Makhaya Ntini was being kept out of the national side on grounds
other than poor form. He said that a ``concerted effort'' was being made
to keep non-white players out of the senior national side, and warned
the UCB that ``we will take strong action against them.''
George went on to describe the UCB's introduction of a quota system at
provincial level as ``too little and too late.''
Bacher's reply was that the UCB's constituent unions should draw their
own conclusions as to the veracity of the NSC's comments.
The government has reacted more positively. Sports Ministry
spokesperson Dumisani Zulu said: ``We welcome the UCB decision to
instruct it's provinces to include players of colour in their
teams. It shows that the UCB realises that it's development program is
problematic.''
Meanwhile three of the countries leading non-white cricketers Makhaya Ntini, Paul Adams and Herschelle Gibbs - have stated that they
would rather be left out of the national team than be selected because
of their colour. Adams and Gibbs are both in the squad for the second
test match, and Gibbs will certainly play in that fixture.
5 non-white cricketers have represented South Africa at top level
since the countries re-admission to international cricket. Omar Henry,
who had played for South African representative sides during the rebel
era, played in the 1992 World Cup and in subsequent series against
India and the West Indies. Batsman Gibbs and bowlers Adams, Ntini and
Roger Telemachus have played for South Africa in recent series.
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