Cricket South Africa’s attempt at changing the news cycle from the controversy surrounding selection for the World Cup semi-final, saw the organisation adopt a scatter-gun approach in which they launched a new competition, outlined governance changes at domestic level and also, surprisingly, announced a profit.
In addition the aggressive stance adopted by chief executive Haroon Lorgat in addressing simple inquiries from the media further made the organisation seem desperate. The fact is no one will move on from this. Just like people still vividly recall the mishap in the 1999 World Cup, so they will associate South Africa’s exit at the 2015 World Cup with what is at best described as a botched piece of selection.
Lorgat ended his tetchy interaction with the media yesterday saying: “I’m glad you guys (the media) say (Vernon) Philander should not be considered a quota selection.”
When one journalist replied, “he’s not,” Lorgat chirped: “then I don’t know what’s the issue.”
“The issue” is of course a bad piece of selection, that was informed by Cricket SA’s desire to meet a quota target and saw Vernon Philander picked ahead of the in-form Kyle Abbott for the semi-final against New Zealand. Lorgat has taken responsibility for his role in reminding Russell Domingo, the national coach, and Andrew Hudson, the national selection convener, of Cricket SA’s transformation policy ahead of that semi-final.
Lorgat reiterated the importance of Cricket SA’s transformation policy. “In so far as transformation is concerned, we make no apologies,” said Lorgat. “We made it very clear at the outset of my tenure, that we will pursue transformation aggressively and in a very responsible way.
“We made it clear what our targets would be, how we would manage it and above all – don’t forget the concept of merit selection. That seems to be something that people sidestep. And let me make one final comment by saying, Philander i s a world class player, who deserves to be there, unlike what some of you might think. That issue is closed as far as we are concerned.”
When Cricket SA weren’t defending their position on the World Cup selection, Lorgat was outlining the good work done – since he’s become chief executive – in ensuring that the administration of the sport at domestic level, mimic’s that of CSA. That has led to affiliates and franchises including independent directors on their respective boards. Those boards will also be responsible for ensuring that CSA’s financial model is strictly followed “and importantly that they must break even on their operations,” Lorgat explained.
He also explained – again unusually – that the organisation would announce a profit at its next Annual General Meeting, a significant development given CSA had projected a loss at the last AGM.
Cricket SA’s other announcement was the launch of the Africa Cup T20 – which amusingly had the wrong spelling on the logo (anyone for the ‘Arfica Cup?) – a tournament involving CSA’s provincial affiliates and Kenya, Zimbabwe and Namibia. With the Champions League T20 apparently on the brink of being ended on account of a lack of interest from television companies, the launch of the new competition will help ensure “content” for television. - The Star