Joubert Strydom quits as selection chairman
Joubert Strydom has decided to end his term as the South African chairman of selectors to pursue his business interests. Strydom was part of the selection panel for four years before heading the committee in August last year
Cricinfo staff
23-Jul-2008
Joubert Strydom has decided to end his term as the South African chairman of selectors to pursue his business interests. Strydom was part of the selection panel for four years before heading the committee in August last year.
"I had the privilege of enjoying something that I would never have reached," Strydom told Beeld. He presided over the controversial row between Norman Arendse, the president of Cricket South Africa (CSA), and Mickey Arthur, the South African coach, over the transformation policy in team selection before the tour of Bangladesh earlier this year.
That was preceded by another selection controversy, this time over Jacques Kallis' omission for the ICC World Twenty20 and a three-ODI series in Bangladesh last year, prompting the allrounder to quit as vice-captain and reconsider his future. Kallis later said he would remain committed to South Africa and Strydom was appreciative of that. "I'll always be grateful to Jacques for the way he handled the situation and for his attitude towards me during a difficult time," Strydom said.
South Africa moved to second place in the ICC Test rankings behind Australia during his tenure. The team also remained undefeated in all the Test series they played, and Strydom attributed the team's success to the policy of persisting with senior players.
"It has been proven during the past year or so that we throw away some of our older players too soon," Strydom said. "Neil McKenzie showed it and Hashim Amla, Ashwell Prince and AB de Villiers showed how important it was to persist with players and not to throw them to the wolves after a couple of poor performances."
CSA will elect the selection panel for the next season at its Annual General Meeting on August 8.
"We fully understand these reasons (for Strydom's resignation)," Gerald Majola, the board's chief executive officer, said. "CSA would like to thank Joubert for his positive contribution to the progress of South African cricket and the Proteas. CSA wishes him well for the future."