SMS may have sparked Philander move

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 Mar 31, 2015

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Cape Town - Hours after Cricket South Africa CEO Haroon Lorgat denied that there had been interference in the Proteas’ Cricket World Cup semi-final team selection comes fresh allegations that he had indeed stamped his authority on the process.

For the greater part of Monday, Haroon had been quoted at length in the print media and had been interviewed on radio, saying that he had not influenced the selection process in order to satisfy quota demands which in the case of the Proteas, requires the team to field at least four players of colour at any one stage.

Various cricket writers have claimed that Lorgat apparently told Proteas coach Russell Domingo via SMS to pick an extra player of colour in the team for the semifinal.

If it is true, it suggests that Lorgat knew what the team selectors had decided on, and hence he told them to effect a change.

According to various sources Lorgat told Domingo to choose either between Rilee Rossouw and Farhaan Behardien, or dropping Kyle Abbott for Vernon Philander.

It is believed that the in-form Abbott was initially selected, but was then dropped for Philander in order to comply with the SMS.

The report says Domingo and captain AB de Villiers wanted Abbott to play, but Lorgat refused to sign off the team if it consisted of only three players of colour – Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and Imran Tahir.

After a lengthy discussion it was decided to drop Abbott and the report added that De Villiers and Philander were believed to be furious and refused to play, but were forced to face the Kiwis at Eden Park.

Lorgat has rubbished any suggestion that Philander’s selection, or that of any player, was racially motivated.

“There was and is no political interference in our selections,” he said. “Ï have never heard of such nonsense.

“We have a selection panel that includes the coach and independent members, and this panel selected all the teams at the World Cup in the same way that they did before the World Cup.”

African News Agency

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