Aussies help in UCB contracts

Australian expertise is being used to help the United Cricket Board design the tough new contracts being offered South Africa's top players over the next two years in the wake of the Hansie Cronje scandal.

Twelve players, including Daryll Cullinan, have been offered A and B category contracts with an eight percent increase while five players have been placed on a one year contract and Allan Donald has agreed, after discussions, to an 18 month contract. And as part of the new arrangement the players are to meet with Dr Ali Bacher, managing director of the UCB on a one-on-one basis after the coming Easter weekend.

Dr Bacher said the 12 players were viewed as "key core players of the national squad" who would have to be available to play in Tests, limitedovers internationals and tour matches while the players contracted for one year were seen by the selectors as having the potential to have a long-term career prospects.

"I have asked all the players to come and see me and to go through what has happened in the past week and look at the way forward and the terms and conditions of the new contracts," he said.

He said the Australians, who had gone through similar difficulties, have adjusted their contracts and there are key clauses in the current contracts of the Australian players and Malcolm Speed, the ACB's CEO, was to fax through the UCB lawyers new clauses which have incorporated in the Australian contracts. "We are thankful for the help of the Australians in this matter," Dr Bacher said.

He felt the response of the players to "this serious issue" was an important factor as there was a "need to acknowledge it as well as discuss it and their responsibilities" in the future.

"It is a reality and we have to handle this problem which not only affects South Africa but world cricket," he said. "If we have a problem let us acknowledge it."

In this respect the ICC are to hold an emergency meeting on May 2 and 3 in which Dr Bacher as well as the UCB's acting president, Percy Sonn, shall be attending.

There were no major surprises in the South Africa side to tour Sri Lanka and Australia but Cullinan has finally relented and agreed to return to the LOI scene ass part of his two-year contract deal. It is a decision which had been expected and in the shape of the immediate future David Terbrugge is recalled along with Roger Telemachus: as both are in the one-year contract category it gives the impression the players are on trial.

If anyone wants to quibble it could be Pieter Strydom who seems to be out of favour as he is in neither side and not part of the contracted squad. There was no space for Boeta Dippenaar, however, although, along with Gerald Dros, the have been included in the South African A team for the tour of the West Indies.

The side for Sri Lanka is the first announced in the post-Cronje era with Andrew Hall and Neil McKenzie included, no doubt, as part of the limitedovers scenario although there is growing view that McKenzie's skills as a bowler could see him possibly earn a Test cap during the tour. Rushdie Magiet admitted the A Team has been selected mainly with an eye on the promise of future stars and building a talent base for the 2003 World Cup.

The A Team, which includes six players of colour, is about the best balanced squad in terms of youth and future growth the selectors could have put together with the emphasis on future-fast bowling needs and spin-bowling growth.

The squads are:

Sri Lanka/Australia: Shaun Pollock (capt), Mark Boucher (vice-capt), Paul Adams, Nicky Boje, Daryll Cullinan, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Halls, Mornantau Hayward, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener, Neil McKenzie, Makhaya Ntini, Jonty Rhodes, Roger Telemachus, David Terbrugge.

A Team (West Indies): Dale Benkenstein (capt), Nic Pothas (vice capt), Mark Bruyns, James Bryant, Boeta Dippenaar, Gerald Dros, Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Victor Mpitsang, Mfuneko Ngam, Justin Ontong, Robin Peterson, Dewald Pretorius, Ashwell Prince, Graeme Smith, Charl Willoughby.

Contracted players (two years): Paul Adams, Mark Boucher, Daryll Cullinan, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock, Jonty Rhodes. B category: Nicky Boje, Mornantau Hayward, Makhaya Ntini; one year contracts: Neil McKenzie, Andrew Hall, Roger Telemachus, David Terbrugge, Boeta Dippenaar.