UCB's revised selection policy condemned as ``too little; too late''

The furore over the United Cricket Board's selectorial policies gained intensity today.

In response to criticism over the selection of a squad with only one non-white player and an all white playing eleven for the first Test of the current series against the West Indies, the UCB had taken steps to ensure that coloured players were to be given every chance to play for South Africa.

These steps included the setting up of a special committee to monitor the selection process, to intervene if no coloured players were named in a squad and to make recommendations to the selection panel; a mandated quota of non-white players in provincial squads of limited size next season; and a policy of including black players on grounds other than merit for any match that cannot effect the outcome of a series.

The UCB's heavily sponsored development program and various provincial mentoring programs would remain in place.

However the National Sports Council, a non-governmental body, has reacted angrily to these announcements. NSC president Mluleki George has claimed that cricket officials, especially UCB managing director Ali Bacher, had taken black administrators for a ride.

``Bacher, who professes to be a liberal, has been reckless of later and has used black administrators to further his and cricket's interests,'' said George. ``We made a mistake of trusting him.''

George echoed the accusation made by Minister of Sport Steve Tshwete that Makhaya Ntini was being kept out of the national side on grounds other than poor form. He said that a ``concerted effort'' was being made to keep non-white players out of the senior national side, and warned the UCB that ``we will take strong action against them.''

George went on to describe the UCB's introduction of a quota system at provincial level as ``too little and too late.''

Bacher's reply was that the UCB's constituent unions should draw their own conclusions as to the veracity of the NSC's comments.

The government has reacted more positively. Sports Ministry spokesperson Dumisani Zulu said: ``We welcome the UCB decision to instruct it's provinces to include players of colour in their teams. It shows that the UCB realises that it's development program is problematic.''

Meanwhile three of the countries leading non-white cricketers Makhaya Ntini, Paul Adams and Herschelle Gibbs - have stated that they would rather be left out of the national team than be selected because of their colour. Adams and Gibbs are both in the squad for the second test match, and Gibbs will certainly play in that fixture.

5 non-white cricketers have represented South Africa at top level since the countries re-admission to international cricket. Omar Henry, who had played for South African representative sides during the rebel era, played in the 1992 World Cup and in subsequent series against India and the West Indies. Batsman Gibbs and bowlers Adams, Ntini and Roger Telemachus have played for South Africa in recent series.