Lorgat unavailable for new selection committee

Haroon Lorgat, South Africa's chief selector, ended speculation over his future by confirming that he was not available for appointment to the new selection committee.

Lorgat, who took charge four years ago, cited the confusion over the appointment of the new selection committee as the reason. "It's not so much that I have resigned as that I have let CSA [Cricket South Africa] know that I am no longer available," Lorgat was quoted as saying on supercricket.co.za. "There was so much confusion about whether I needed to be nominated that I decided to withdraw.

"Anyway, my appointment was always going to be reviewed after the World Cup in the West Indies," he said. "I have no hard feelings, and I believe it is good to get new insights and a new pair of hands on the reins."

Lorgat said he was pleased with the work done during his tenure as convenor of national selectors. "I think I created some stability as far as selections were concerned. We had a game plan regarding selection, and there was a great improvement in communication.

"During my time, South Africa improved their position in the world rankings both in one-day cricket and in Test cricket. If I had stayed on, my goal would have been to take South Africa to the same position the one-day side is in, where it is one of the best teams in the world."

However, he admitted that the loss in the World Cup semi-final was a low-point during his term. "My biggest disappointment, of course, was the World Cup. I really believed we had the team to win that, and that our preparations had been on target. But looking back, I believe we had more successes than failures during my term of office."

The South African board is expected to announce the new convenor on Monday.