Rodney Hartman, the Sports Editor at the Sunday Times, has been appointed Communications Manager for the 2003 Cricket World Cup to be hosted by South Africa.

In making the announcement, Dr Ali Bacher, Executive Director of the 2003 Cricket World Cup, said Hartman would be joining a six-person senior management team that is committed to excellence and representivity through its 50-50 racial composition.

"The post of Communications Manager was advertised nationally and attracted 106 applicants," said Dr Bacher. "This was reduced to a short-list of people who were interviewed. The interviewing panel recommended Rodney Hartman to our Policy Committee for four reasons; his excellent knowledge of the game of cricket, his considerable experience in the media world over many decades, the respect he enjoys among his colleagues and his clear understanding and vision for an event that goes far beyond mere bat and ball and will set out to embrace all the different communities of South Africa".

Hartman, who takes up his position on June 1, has been closely associated with cricket for a number of years as a writer and sports editor for several newspapers. He has been sports editor of the Sunday Times since 1996 and before that was founding sports editor of the Sunday Independent.

Dr Bacher continued, "Because of the magnitude and importance of this tournament to the country, the Policy Committee has decided to make a second appointment to this position, which will enjoy equal status and responsibility with Rodney Hartman in the communications field. We will advertise this position this month nationally, with the express intention of appointing a black person to this position."

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