Johannesburg – Fresh off allegations there was political interference in the make-up of the Proteas semi-final team which exited the Cricket World Cup last month, a new selection panel of Cricket SA (CSA) is up for election.
The deadline for nominations is April 30, and the provincial unions have been requested to decide on nominations for the panel in the period ahead.
CSA said the current panel, appointed in 2013, could be reappointed if they are nominated.
National convenor of selectors Andrew Hudson and the rest of the panel – Shafiek Abrahams (former EP and SA player), Hussein Manack, (former Gauteng player), Linda Zondi (former KZN player) and Russell Domingo (Proteas coach) had been accused of allegedly inserting Vernon Philander into the semi-final against New Zealand in place of Kyle Abbott who had performed well in the quarterfinal.
Though Domingo maintained Philander was fully-fit for the match, the reports of an early morning SMS from CSA CEO Haroon Lorgat on ensuring Philander played continue to circulate.
The current panel’s last duty will be to name a Proteas squad to tour Bangladesh in July.
The new selection panel is expected to be announced at CSA’s next board meeting in June.
Domingo, however, would remain on the panel regardless as his contract as coach of the national team runs until April 2016 CSA confirmed on Sunday. – ANA