JOHANNESBURG - Rushdi Magiet, who has been a member of the United Cricket Board of South Africa's Selection committee since unification in 1992, has been elected as the new convenor of selectors, taking over from retired Peter Pollock . Mr Ray White, president of the UCBSA, made this announcement after Messrs Mike Proctor, Clive Rice, Maurice Garda and Magiet were interviewed the day before.

``The UCB Board is very pleased with its selection and satisfied that the well being of South African cricket is in safe hands'' said White. ``Rushdi's experience as a selector, his passion for the game and his availability were the underlying factors that helped his selection'' he added.

Rushdi will be meeting with Dr Bacher this week to clarify his responsibilities and the UCBSA's selection policy before calling the selection panel together. The captain and squad for the upcoming tournament in Kenya will be made public before the end on August 1999.

Rushdi will adhere to the UCBSA policy of selecting the best team possible. With the development process irreversible, and players of colour proving themselves in the international arena, it will ensure that, if at all possible, South Africa will not field an all white team in the future. He also said that white and black peripheral players will be given exposure when the opportunity allows.

``For Peter Pollock I hold the highest regard. His guidance, stability and consistency in selections are the things that I will take with me. The players need to have that confidence in the panel to help them perform to their abilities. Test cricket is our priority and to become the number one test nation we will all have to work together. This does not mean that the World Cup in 2003 is very far from our minds'' stressed Magiet.