Hudson has clearer grasp of transformation – CSA
Convenor of selectors Andrew Hudson had to explain himself to the board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) in Johannesburg on Wednesday and left with a clearer understanding of his transformation duties, according to acting president Willie Basson.
Hudson and his fellow selectors have been criticised for their handling of wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile, who was given a national contract last year and was assured he would be given an opportunity in the Test side during the current series against New Zealand.
Instead, Tsolekile has been dropped from the squad, having not been given an opportunity to play a single Test on tours of England and Australia, with key batsman AB de Villiers being entrusted with the gloves as the current successor to Mark Boucher.
“Andrew Hudson was invited to address us and he explained the selectors’ thinking in detail. After a long and intensive debate, he left more enlightened and informed about what is required from the selectors in terms of transformation. He has been sensitised to make sure the selectors deal with transformation in the most appropriate way in future,” Basson said at O.R. Tambo International Airport on Wednesday.
Basson confirmed that a mandatory number of Black African players for franchise and national teams is being considered by CSA.
“The target at the moment is four blacks for franchise and national teams, but a stipulation for Black Africans will be coming as part of the strategy of the Transformation Committee,” Basson said.
Basson acknowledged that more needed to be done at the higher levels of cricket in terms of transformation, but he said this had to be part of “a natural, bottom-upwards process”.
“Transformation at school and club level is far advanced – more than 60% of players are black at those levels. Transformation is still in progress at national level, and our efforts have been recognised by the minister of sport.
“But we’re now looking at three levels of transformation because they all have different requirements – national teams, franchises and schools and clubs. The pipeline needs to flow in a natural, bottom-upwards process,” Basson explained.
According to the acting president, Hudson defended the exclusion of Tsolekile because AB de Villiers was a much better batsman than the 32-year-old Highveld Lions wicketkeeper.
“Andrew explained to us the problems faced by the selectors in ensuring the team remains at the highest level and balancing that with the sensitivities of selection in ensuring there are necessary opportunities for everyone. He said it had been a case of AB de Villiers’ tremendous batting ability being more valuable than Tsolekile’s outstanding wicketkeeping and that, according to Andrew, Thami understands the position 100%.
“But the foundation has been laid for much better communication between the selectors, players and the board than in the past,” Basson said.
Basson also confirmed that the appointment of a Black African national selector was “in the pipeline” with nominations now being called for.
Are we really still at this junction after 20 years? To say that mandatory 4 Black African Players must be in the team. This is again creating teams based on race instead of performance.
CSA must think this through really good. How will Tsotsobe and Tsolekile feel if this goes through?
Hi David
I don’t think they’ll ever say 4 Black African players, but 1 might be the figure.
The problem is that the demographic majority aren’t represented in the Test side … and there’s a good argument for Tsolekile to be playing especially since he was nationally contracted and was given certain assurances.
Nobody likes the quotes except the politicians, but if the selectors are seen to be dragging their feet, then they might be necessary. I would prefer to see them at lower levels though.