Majola: 'Transformation is a long-term process'
South African cricket is going through a period of transition, and Gerald Majola, the chief executive of the United Cricket Board, is at the helm of the transformation process
Wisden Cricinfo staff
22-Nov-2004
South African cricket is going through a period of transition, and Gerald Majola, the chief executive of the United Cricket Board, is at the helm of the transformation process. He spoke to the media during the first Test at Kanpur.
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On the reasoning behind such an inexperienced squad
As far as we are concerned, this is the best team for South Africa, as selected by our standards. We outlined those standards at the beginning of the season, and every player here has been selected on form. If you look at their statistics, they stand out.
As far as we are concerned, this is the best team for South Africa, as selected by our standards. We outlined those standards at the beginning of the season, and every player here has been selected on form. If you look at their statistics, they stand out.
On the policy of including five or six black players in the squad, and whether that puts pressure on his selectors
I was asked this question in Parliament. A day earlier, at the selectors' meeting, they had all agreed to pick the team based on form and not by any other qualification. But the selectors know about our transformation policy and they understand it.
I was asked this question in Parliament. A day earlier, at the selectors' meeting, they had all agreed to pick the team based on form and not by any other qualification. But the selectors know about our transformation policy and they understand it.
On the importance of the policy, given the controversies with the rugby team last year
Transformation in South Africa is very important, not only for cricket but for the entire country. We have to transform and know where we are coming from. South Africa suffered under apartheid for decades and transformation is something that doesn't happen overnight, it's a process. In 1998, the United Cricket Board started its own transformation chapter without any external pressure, because we understand that we have to transform the sport.
Transformation in South Africa is very important, not only for cricket but for the entire country. We have to transform and know where we are coming from. South Africa suffered under apartheid for decades and transformation is something that doesn't happen overnight, it's a process. In 1998, the United Cricket Board started its own transformation chapter without any external pressure, because we understand that we have to transform the sport.
Cricket is part of South Africa and we have set ourselves targets that we must achieve, which is why you now see black players being picked on merit. We have recently reduced our provincial teams from 11 to six, and the number of black players playing there is almost 50 percent. They are all coming through on merit and many of those performing well are also black. They are being selected on form and not because they are black. Thami Tsolekile, Alfonso Thomas and Charl Langeveldt, who is not here, are some of those players doing well.
Is the emphasis on long-term planning or short-term goals?
It's a long-term process and not a matter of numbers.
It's a long-term process and not a matter of numbers.
Will you be distracted from this path if you lose a couple of series?
No, definitely not.
No, definitely not.
How about the white players who feel they are being ignored?
No one is being ignored because everyone is selected on merit. So, any white player who performs will be selected.
No one is being ignored because everyone is selected on merit. So, any white player who performs will be selected.
On including former players like Barry Richards in the development programme
You can't force someone to do something they don't want do. Barry Richards has chosen to be a commentator and that's his field. You have others like [Ray] Jennings who are still involved in the system and therefore being used by it.
You can't force someone to do something they don't want do. Barry Richards has chosen to be a commentator and that's his field. You have others like [Ray] Jennings who are still involved in the system and therefore being used by it.
Any special plans for the development programme?
Everyone has to have access to the sport. Previously some of us did not have access to the same facilities that our white colleagues did.
Everyone has to have access to the sport. Previously some of us did not have access to the same facilities that our white colleagues did.
On Mark Boucher being dropped
He was out of form.
He was out of form.