Mornantau Hayward signs away his South African playing future

The United Cricket Board CEO Gerald Majola met on Monday 20th January with Eastern Province and South African contracted player Mornantau Hayward to clarify the UCBSA contractual obligations to players as well as to establish the facts surrounding Hayward's contract with Worcestershire County Cricket Club in England.

Hayward confirmed that he was aware of his contractual obligations to the UCBSA, including obtaining written consent from the UCB to play for Worcestershire. He said he signed the contract because he had not been consistently selected in the National squad over the past 5 years and had therefore given up hope of future selection. He felt he had to secure his financial and playing future elsewhere.

Hayward confirmed that he had signed a contract with the County for two seasons sometime in November 2002, although he could not remember the specific date. The contract takes effect from May 2003 and precludes him from being released for National duty at any stage during the first year of his commitment to the County. He added that he had not been aware of an escape clause in the contract.

Hayward also confirmed that he had not contacted anyone within the UCBSA structure to discuss his concerns about his future in the National squad. The only person he felt comfortable talking to was his Eastern Province coach Kepler Wessels. It was upon Wessels's advice that Hayward decided to look for a contract with an English county team.

He did acknowledge that he could have considered alternatives in addressing his concerns with the UCB. Hayward also confirmed that he had been quoted correctly in the media as saying that his cricketing days in South Africa are over.

Gerald Majola said Hayward's contract with the UCBSA would remain in force until the end of April 2003, but he could not guarantee the player a contract in the future.

At the conclusion of the meeting Majola wished Hayward well in his cricket career.