‘Stop using us for window dressing” is the call made by a group of black cricketers to Cricket South Africa (CSA), who say despite being selected for the Proteas squad, they see precious little game time.
The group, calling themselves Black Cricketers in Unity, sent CSA a letter on Monday, requesting a debate on the transformation of the sport.
CSA confirmed receiving the letter and said it regarded the issues raised as “serious and important to be dealt with urgently and in a thorough and professional manner”.
However with CSA president and chief executive Haroon Lorgat currently in India, where the Proteas are on tour, the matter will be deferred until the team’s return to South Africa in December.
Lorgat said today: “It is disappointing when a letter of this nature finds its way into the media because we do not solve such issues in the media. Matters of this nature need to be dealt with responsibly by all the affected parties before a full and accurate report can be presented to the public.”
eNCA sports anchor Ronald Masinda broke the news of the letter, quoting Highveld Lions captain Thami Tsolekile – reportedly a member of Black Cricketers in Unity – as saying the players were tired of being included in the national squad, but not in the starting XI.
Advocate Norman Arendse, chairman of CSA’s transformation committee, confirmed that the letter had been sent to “several senior officials, including the president (of the board, Chris Nenzani) and myself”. “You must understand, when the new board was installed in 2013, we immediately held a transformation indaba. There it was decided and agreed to the ‘Africanisation’ of cricket,” said Arendse
“You will have seen at franchise level, where we insist on at least six black African players, and at least three in the starting XI.
“I don’t think you can deny that it is happening. But at national level, that is a conversation we still need to have.”
The letter to CSA highlights the recent inclusion of Dean Elgar in the Proteas touring party to India. After JP Duminy was ruled out through injury during the ODI series, it was thought that uncapped batsman Khaya Zondo – who had been selected in the T20 squad and was kept on after Rilee Roussouw was withdrawn with a stress fracture – would be the natural replacement.
When Zondo represented South Africa A against India in August, he scored 154 in four innings; his best performance an 86 off 60 balls. However, Elgar was flown in at the eleventh hour to replace Duminy. Elgar had played just five ODIs prior to his |call-up and had last played an ODI for the |Proteas in 2012.
The letter outlines how black players were treated as “waterboys” and were included in the squad merely as “window dressing” in order to please sponsors.
The group noted Aaron Phangiso’s inclusion in the squad that travelled to contest the 2015 Cricket World Cup played in February and March in Australia and New Zealand, saying in the letter that he was left to serve drinks and didn’t play a match. He was the only black African included in the squad.
Arendse said the CSA board would meet with the group soon. He said it was a “difficult time” to have the discussions, as the Proteas are still on tour and issues of selection would have to be answered by officials who were also in India.
The meetings with the Board of Control for Cricket in India scheduled for the coming weeks would also present a challenge.The Cape Argus understands Cape Cobras’ Omphile Ramela,who is captain of the four-day side, is the spokesman for the group.
Lorgat commented: “CSA reiterates its sincere commitment to transformation and its stance to adopt aggressive policies in order to reach its transformation goals.
“It is heartening to note the transformation progress we have made over the past two years and we will not rest until we reach |all our goals including our national |teams representing all the people of our country.” - Cape Argus