Kiwis puzzled by team's ``Race'' Row (26 February 1999)

26 February 1999

Kiwis puzzled by team's "Race" Row

Trevor Chesterfield

CENTURION (South Africa) - South Africa's next election is still some time off, but the long fingers of politics have even infiltrated New Zealand radio chat shows where "amazement is expressed" at the country's all white teams in two limited-overs internationals on the current tour.

Three times in the last 48 hours I have been asked on radio New Zealand for my opinion on a subject which sends jitters along the corridors at the United Cricket Board and in government circles.

As South Africa's tourists in the Shaky Isles try to sort out the World Cup experiments as the countdown to cut off time for the second stage of the team's selection looms, the subject of how many "players of colour" are going to be included has become a touchy subject.

So touchy, in fact, Ray White, president of the UCB (of South Africa) has issued a statement saying there has been a "misunderstanding over team selection policy". It seems the touring team's selection panel were under the impression that not including "players of colour" was not a problem at limited-overs level.

"Okay," says Martin Devlin of Radio NZ and the breakfast show, "what's the problem?"

Explaining how when it comes to team selection policy, the UCB have laid down strict guidelines; this includes selecting someone from a disadvantaged community, is like leading a level-headed Kiwi with a sense for fair play and "justice for all" through the maze of political mumbo jumbo, or whatever.

"So, what if they are all ill? Get injured. Or have lost form? What do you do then?"

Interesting that one: there's nothing you can do.

"The UCB policy has to be followed. While Herschelle Gibbs and Paul Adams went to schools most of their kind cannot afford, they also represent communities who were politically, financially and culturally disadvantaged."

"Right, fair enough, mate. It still doesn't get around what would be done if those in the touring part were ill or had lost form to the extent that playing them was an embarrassment? And the players felt that way too."

If what Sports Minister Steve Tshwete says is an accurate of thinking of government policy, there are no "ifs'" or "buts" or "doctor's certificate" or "loss of form". You go out and play, the great politicians says so: forget if you are going to be drawn and quartered at the next selection meeting; the great politicos know best. They are the guys with all the answerers.

The thing which has been said before is that the players themselves don't like it: not one bit. There is pressure and there is a question of being selected on merit.

All this goes down on Kiwi radio and you wonder if they understand that the politicos are creating the pressures which have affected the mental attitude of the "players of colour".

Herschelle Gibbs (as a case in point) voices an objection. "I thought we were all cricketers?"

To some it might count, to those who claim to have the best interest of the sport as part of their political platform at heart it counts to impress their constituency.

Even getting a call at two in the morning from a New Zealand chat show makes you think that the Kiwis are genuinely puzzled. They have no axe to grind, just a few questions to ask, to try and piece the jigsaw together and make sense with some of the answers.

Now the politicos are battling the game on two fronts. In New Zealand the coach, Bob Woolmer, and the captain, Hansie Cronje have said they will no give in to political pressure to select the "players of colour"

Woolmer as well as a couple of leading players drew the line with criticism of the side as they prepared for the first Test in the series.for the first of three Tests against New Zealand starting here Saturday. It has been part of the on-going battle which has been waged for about a year.

What we had, in Port Elizabeth, was Dr Ali Bacher, managing direct of the UCB uttering the now famous

``It is no longer acceptable that in 1998 an all-white team being selected to represent South Africa.''

But South Africa's tour selectors, Woolmer, captain Hansie Cronje and vice captain Shaun Pollock, have come under fire from quarters inside the UCB executive when they opted for all-white teams for the second and third one-day internationals against New Zealand in Christchurch and Auckland.

Woolmer, not one to bark lightly when comments are needed, said (team) management would not be dictated to for political reasons.

``We pick the teams for cricket reasons and for cricket reasons only. I'm not interested in politics, I have never been interested in politics and nor shall I ever want to be,'' the coach said.

It steps up steps Donald, who says, race should not be an issue for the upcoming first test.

``I don't know what the fuss is all about,'' Donald said. ``Whatever pressures come from home, the people accordingly must deal with it,'' he said.

On the home front former Test all-rounder Brian McMillan had to publicly apologies for committing a racial slur and bringing the game into disrepute by breaking the players code of behaviour

McMillan used the bowling term ''coolie creeper'' which describes a how to deliver a slow ball rolled along the ground - during a provincial match last weekend.

At the same time they also banned Eastern Province B captain Alan Badenhorst for two years for calling another player a ''half-bred kaffir'' during a game in Port Elizabeth last Friday. Sure, none of it is acceptable.

None of it been a pretty story; rather get on with it and get it over with as well.

But that's how the game is in the new South Africa: confusing for those on the outside and puzzling for those on the inside. You do not bring the game into disrepute, you do not cross a politician more interested in their ego than the sport.

It's just no longer cricket.

Source :: Trevor Chesterfield, Pretoria News