Cullinan selection poser for Magiet's panel

When Daryll Cullinan, three months ago, announced his retirement from all forms of the limited-overs game South Africa seemed to have a settled on a rebuilding programme for the next World Cup. Which no doubt prompted Cullinan to quit in January as he seemed to no longer "fit into plans so far advanced". He later resisted the temptation to change his mind, even when Gauteng made their plea during the semi-finals of the Standard Bank Cup.

Now along come the UCB with extended two year contracts to all the contracted players, which may become a persuasive argument for the No4 Test batsman to have a serious rethink, even though he is unlikely to feature in the 2003 plans. Perhaps, though the selectors may be a touch more convincing in their deliberations. It not only leaves Cullinan with the choice of changing his mind for the sake of staying around until the end of 2001/02 season. But it depends just how hungry he is to resume playing in the slogs events.

There is no doubt Cullinan's predicament might make up the selectors mind when they meet today to sort out the winter programme with teams for Sri Lanka, Australia and Singapore along with the A Team heading for the West Indies in the late winter and early spring. What we are going to see is a very mixed affair and with a replacement needed for Hansie Cronje, the middle looks not so much vulnerable in terms of talent as experience.

With the first 15 days of the Sri Lanka tour filled by the Aiwa Cup triangular series also involving Pakistan, followed by the three Tests, selection policy may deviate from the current practice of separate Test and limited-overs teams. This becomes more likely with the matches in Australia and Singapore following the Sri Lanka tour.

There is no logic at all to appoint a side with several limited-overs specialists, have them remain inactive for a month and fly them off to Australia for the three games in Melbourne. Stranger things have happened.

It allows the selectors with a wider choice and team balance priorities as well. It also suggests that Neil McKenzie, tried at three in the Challenge Series against Australia, and still finding his way could be the preferred choice for Cronje's place as the team management and selection philosophy grapple with finding a replacement. It also allows Cullinan to rethink his position.

What is crucial to the McKenzie role in the senior squad is the combination and structure of the A Team side for the West Indies. It is presumed that Dale Benkenstein is going to captain that side with at least six "players of colour" taking up several important positions: three of them being the highly talented pace, swing and seam bowlers, Garnett Kruger, Victor Mpitsang and Mfuneko Ngam.

One of the problems with side is that a number of regular A Team players are contracted to league clubs in England, Ireland and Scotland with Nic Pothas, Mark Bruyns, Ashwell Prince and Martin van Jaarsveld among them.

For the sake of long-term team-planning in bringing through the "players of colour" with more emphasis on future A Team tours, the selection for the West Indies is one of the most important Rushdie Magiet's selection panel will put together. Hopefully they get it right.