Cullinan offers public apology after Test withdrawal

Gauteng and South African batsman Daryll Cullinan has issued a public apology over his refusal and subsequent withdrawal from the South African team to play against Australia in March this year.

At a news conference, called at short notice, at the Wanderers, Cullinan said, "I regret the circumstances and I could have handled the situation better. I'd like to apologise to the team, cricket supporters and the United Cricket Board for bringing the game into disrepute and I'd like to reconfirm my commitment to the game. I would love to serve South African cricket in whatever capacity they deem fit."

Cullinan added that he still wanted to apologise, in person, to the national team and that he would find the right moment to do so.

The 35-year-old and veteran of 70 Tests also confirmed he was available for both Test and one-day sides of the future.

In March 2002, Cullinan, recovering from a knee injury and a lack of form, was recalled to the South African side after four successive Test defeats. With Pollock a doubtful starter there were rumblings that he might even take over the captaincy if Pollock failed a late fitness test.

Then, on the eve of the Cape Town Test, Cullinan withdrew from the team and flew back to Johannesburg. United Cricket Board of South Africa, Chief Executive Officer, Gerald Majola announced that Cullinan had withdrawn from the South African team in Cape Town after the UCBSA was unable to meet certain demands made by the player.

"Unfortunately, Daryll insisted that we give him nothing less than an A Category UCB contract until 2003 for him to play in this match instead of the Test match fee which is paid to non-contracted players. The UCB policy states that a player can be offered a contract in the middle of the season after he has played two Test matches or six one-day internationals in that season. Daryll does not fit those criteria. Daryll also demanded that he be given that contract until the 2003 Cricket World Cup. Our current player contracts expire at the end of April and we are not in a position to make an exception for Daryll," Mr Majola said.

After touring the West Indies with the South African Test team the prevoius year, Cullinan withdrew from the side ahead of the one-day series and flew to England to take up a contract with Kent. In terms of this contract, Cullinan was not available for South Africa's two Test matches against Zimbabwe in September and his contract lapsed. At the time, Cullinan indicated that he would be prepared to play for South Africa on a match-to-match basis.

As it turned out, a knee injury cut short Cullinan's time with Kent, but he was not fit enough to play against India in November and was not selected for the tour to Australia. He captained the South African A team against Australia at the end of April, making 86 in the first innings to win himself his Test recall.

On his return to Johannesburg, Cullinan was suspended from playing any cricket by the Gauteng Cricket Board pending an inquiry into his conduct. This meant that Cullinan missed the SuperSport Shield match against North West at the Wanderers.

In May 2002, Cullinan issued the following statement:

"I regret, that despite complying with every request made to me by the UCB since September 2001, including:
• Submitting to and passing a UCB-sanctioned fitness test with a view to securing a contract;
• Committing myself to play five-day and one-day cricket for South Africa until the end of the World Cup;
• Representing and captaining South Africa A;
the UCB has refused to offer me a contract and has further failed to provide any reasons for this refusal. I furthermore wish to confirm that I received no indication whatsoever as to what match fees, if any, would be paid to me for my participation in the Newlands Test match.

All I required was to be treated in a manner equal to the other senior players.

I wish to thank all of you who have supported me and have been just as excited as I was with my recall.

In conclusion, I would like to wish the South African team every success for the upcoming Test match."

Cullinan's public apology comes at a very opportune time. With the current hiccups in the South African middle order, his experience and technique could well be what the selectors are looking for. Whether they will take the chance of selecting him is another matter.

It is however evident that Cullinan is still determined and committed to contributing to South African cricket. With the World Cup less than a hundred days away, he could still feature in the national set-up.