S. Africa in new pledge to blacks (7 Mar 1998)

7 March 1998

S. Africa in new pledge to blacks

By Peter Deeley

SOUTH Africa may bring as many as five non-white players on their tour of England this summer as a demonstration of their commitment to a non-racial side.

Ali Bacher, managing director of the United Cricket Board, gave this pledge in Port Elizabeth yesterday before the start of the final Pakistan Test after protestors had presented a petition bearing 1,000 names complaining about the lack of blacks playing at first-class level for either Test or provincial teams.

Dr Bacher hinted that all future national sides would include at least one non-white. He said repeatedly: "In 1998 it cannot be right that South Africa field a team of whites only."

The campaigners, describing themselves as a local concerned citizens group, told board officials of their disquiet at the recall of two white South Africans -Andrew Hudson and Fanie de Villiers, both in their 30s - to the Test side rather than select the fast bowler Makhaya Ntini and batsman Herschelle Gibbs.

The board are to hold a discipline inquiry at the end of the Test into allegations that two players, Pat Symcox and de Villiers, and fitness trainer Paddy Upton made racially offensive remarks to spectators during the Durban game last week.

The problems stemmed from the refusal of the players to give autographs during the match.

All three men have denied the allegations and maintain that abuse was directed towards them.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)