Boycott hits out at South African selection policy

Geoff Boycott, the former England captain, has criticised South Africa's selection policy and warned that they needed to sort it out quickly before they could compete with the best teams in the world. South Africa have had a horrid run in the last one year, winning only one ODI out of 14, and losing a Test series against England at home for the first time in 40 years.

"The selectors will have to state very clearly whether a quota system is being enforced in respect of players of colour or not," Boycott said at the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Centre in Port Elizabeth, where he was a guest speaker. "The situation is causing uncertainty amongst players. Now they hear there are certain such guidelines and then it is denied."

Boycott also pointed to the frequent shuffling by the South African selectors in the Test series, where 18 players were used. "Three different wicketkeepers have been selected. Could the selectors not determine who the best player in this position is?" he asked. He also suggested that the selectors should place confidence in the players and give them sufficient opportunities to prove themselves. "When I made my debut the selectors told me I would play in three Tests, irrespective of what happened."

Apart from highlighting the problems prevailing in South African cricket, Boycott also touched upon the unacceptable behaviour of the supporters from both camps. "The Barmy Army has really treated South African captain Graeme Smith badly. The song in which it is claimed that Smith is the world's worst captain is really unnecessary. The same applies to the treatment Kevin Pietersen has received from the local supporters. Because he has switched loyalties from South Africa to England, he is being given a hard time. The swearing really goes too far."

Boycott also expressed concerns over the decline in interest for Test cricket and called for the elimination of weaker teams like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe from the Test arena. "The game has to be speeded up," he said. "More overs should be sent down per hour. Television companies pay lots of money to cover matches and that is what is keeping cricket going. Technology should be extended to assist umpires in their decisions which will also ensure best possible service to the viewers."