SA Squad for 2nd test shows just one change (6 Dec 1998)
Herschelle Gibbs replaces Adam Bacher for the 2nd Test match of the South Africa/West Indies series at Port Elizabeth
6 Dec 1998
SA Squad for 2nd test shows just one change
Bob Dubery for CricInfo
Herschelle Gibbs replaces Adam Bacher for the 2nd Test match of the South Africa/West Indies series at Port Elizabeth.
This single change comes after selectorial policy had come under fire during the first test and as the UCB attempted to strike a balance between having a team that consists of the best available players and one that is more representative of South African society.
There were no non-white players in the team that faced the West Indies in the first test in Johannesburg, and the selectors and the UCB were criticised. The selectors insisted that they had picked the team only on the basis of form and ability, but this argument was not accepted in some quarters.
Minister of Sport, Steve Tshwete, declared on national television news that he did not believe that the team had been picked on merit. He seemed particularly concerned that Makhaya Ntini had been omitted and said that he did not believe that the young, black seam bowler had been passed over because of poor form.
UCB managing director Ali Bacher has moved to address these concerns. He has stated that the UCB are keen to have a national team that "of colour", but that a compromise of standards will not be allowed.
To this end a special committee will be established. This committee will intervene if, in future, an all white squad is selected. The committee may not override the selectors but will make recommendations if they feel that any non-white player has a realistic claim to a place in the squad.
Also provincial squads will be limited to about 16 players next season, and each province will be required to have a quota of non-white players in their squads. At present national teams and senior provincial teams are chosen purely on merit, but the new policy is being instituted in response to the charges, made over the last two seasons, that the UCB is still run along "whites only" lines and that coloured players are not being given the same chances as their white counterparts.
The squad is
Hansie Cronje (captain) Shaun Pollock (vice-captain) Gary Kirsten Herschelle Gibbs Jacques Kallis Daryll Cullinan Jonty Rhodes Mark Boucher Pat Symcox Allan Donald David Terbrugge Paul Adams
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