AfriForum to report CSA fiasco

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 11: Vernon Philander of South Africa bowls during the ICC Cricket World Cup match between South Africa and New Zealand at Hagley Park on February 11, 2015 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Martin Hunter/Getty Images)

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 11: Vernon Philander of South Africa bowls during the ICC Cricket World Cup match between South Africa and New Zealand at Hagley Park on February 11, 2015 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Martin Hunter/Getty Images)

Published Apr 1, 2015

Share

Cricket South Africa (CSA) boss Haroon Lorgat denied sending an SMS on the eve of the Cricket World Cup semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa demanding the inclusion of Vernon Philander to fulfil the side’s quota of black players.

The Cobras allrounder was selected after his return from injury ahead of Dolphins seamer Kyle Abbott in the match that the Proteas lost by four wickets. Since then, reports have emerged that the decision was made to suit political views.

“This is utter nonsense reporting with false allegations being made,” said Lorgat.

“There was no SMS, WhatsApp or BBM sent by me to the coach. And why would I want to do that when I know the team was confirmed and already announced to the players and team management at their usual 6pm team meeting that evening?”

Philander and national coach Russell Domingo were unable to comment on the matter, and referred queries to the CSA.

“Our media policy is not to respond to speculative or false media reports where unnamed sources are quoted, but in this case, due to the damage being caused to the reputation of the Proteas, the CSA and individual players soon after a painful exit from the World Cup, I feel it necessary to speak out and make it clear that this report is false,” said Lorgat.

Lorgat added that the CSA would make no further comment on the matter and that the decision to play Philander ahead of Abbott was solely based on ability. Despite Lorgat denying the claims, civil rights group AfriForum said they will be reporting the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the hope the cricket body will take action against the CSA.

AfriForum chief executive Kallie Kriel said the local cricket body violated the rules of the ICC, which prohibits racial discrimination and political interference in terms of team selection.

“The willingness of the CSA to sacrifice team selection based on merit for the sake of political (obligation) to the ANC’s race ideology is not only to the detriment of local cricket players and supporters, but has also now been detrimental to the World Cup, which is supposed to be a display window of the world’s top players,” said Kriel.

He believes the quota system not only played a role in the Proteas team selection but also prevented them from qualifying for their first World Cup final.

“On the one hand, the Proteas was prohibited from selecting its best team, while their opponents, New Zealand, scored the winning runs courtesy of Grant Elliott, a South African by birth who left the country because the race quota system deprived him of opportunities.”

To strengthen their case, AfriForum has encouraged members of the public to sms support the civil rights group’s action the CSA.

According to Kriel, the group had received 44 145 messages by the end of business yesterday.

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said he could not comment on AfriForum’s statement as the group did not mention him in their complaint. Rather than replying to the allegations, Mbalula said the matter had to be dealt with by the CSA or the ANC. - Cape Argus

Related Topics: