Cricket South Africa have ensured that for this domestic season, which starts with the Sunfoil Series today, a lot of attention will be focused on team sheets, and in particular the number of Black African players starting for the six different franchises.
The Cricket SA quota policy calls for two Black African players in the starting team as part of a broader quota of five players of colour.
“We have to bulk up the numbers,” explained Cricket SA’s CEO Haroon Lorgat.
There has been a lot of pressure on the South African Test side in particular to better reflect the racial demographics of the country. Makhaya Ntini played his final Test in 2009, and since then in 42 Tests only Lonwabo Tsotsobe (five matches) has been capped.
The drama which unfolded around Thami Tsolekile’s non-selection in 2012 proved an embarrassing episode for Cricket SA and this latest policy, coming on the back of last season’s softer approach (when franchises were financially enticed to pick Black African players) seems desperate.
It certainly isn’t helpful for a lot of the players. Just two batsmen – Temba Bavuma and Khaya Zondo – featured in the top 20 averages in last season’s Sunfoil Series. Among the bowlers, Pumelela Matshikwe’s is the sole Black African name to feature among the best bowling averages.
Central to Cricket SA’s policy is ‘meaningful participation’. “We’ll be monitoring the opportunities given to the players,” said Lorgat. “A batsman cannot be used at No7 or eight just like a bowler can’t only bowl three overs.”
What will be worth watching is the ‘flexible loan scheme’ system, where Black African players, not playing for one franchise will be drafted to another to further enhance opportunities to play.
By all accounts, Cricket SA do not want to see the quota system utilised beyond this season. By growing the base of players the thinking is that there should be sufficient Black Africans in the system – and hopefully a couple will be pushing for spots in the Test side.
As upsetting as it may be for many – and also indicative as it is of past failures with CSA’s development system – the quota system is here for the next six months.
Hopefully the players granted opportunities as a result of its presence can grab those chances and establish themselves in their respective franchise sides.
Statistics are published in black and white – and the more runs you score, the more wickets you pick up and the more catches you take, will determine your success in the sport and if you’re deserving of a place in the national Test team. - The Star