SA Squad for 2nd test shows just one change
Bob Dubery for CricInfo
6 Dec 1998
Herschelle Gibbs replaces Adam Bacher for the 2nd Test match of
the South Africa/West Indies series at Port Elizabeth.
This single change comes after selectorial policy had come under
fire during the first test and as the UCB attempted to strike a
balance between having a team that consists of the best available
players and one that is more representative of South African
society.
There were no non-white players in the team that faced the West
Indies in the first test in Johannesburg, and the selectors and
the UCB were criticised. The selectors insisted that they had
picked the team only on the basis of form and ability, but this
argument was not accepted in some quarters.
Minister of Sport, Steve Tshwete, declared on national television
news that he did not believe that the team had been picked on
merit. He seemed particularly concerned that Makhaya Ntini had
been omitted and said that he did not believe that the young,
black seam bowler had been passed over because of poor form.
UCB managing director Ali Bacher has moved to address these
concerns. He has stated that the UCB are keen to have a national
team that ``of colour'', but that a compromise of standards will
not be allowed.
To this end a special committee will be established. This
committee will intervene if, in future, an all white squad is
selected. The committee may not override the selectors but will
make recommendations if they feel that any non-white player has a
realistic claim to a place in the squad.
Also provincial squads will be limited to about 16 players next
season, and each province will be required to have a quota of
non-white players in their squads. At present national teams and
senior provincial teams are chosen purely on merit, but the new
policy is being instituted in response to the charges, made over
the last two seasons, that the UCB is still run along ``whites
only'' lines and that coloured players are not being given the
same chances as their white counterparts.
The squad is
Hansie Cronje (captain) Shaun Pollock (vice-captain) Gary Kirsten
Herschelle Gibbs Jacques Kallis Daryll Cullinan Jonty Rhodes Mark
Boucher Pat Symcox Allan Donald David Terbrugge Paul Adams
