UCB holds post mortem into state of South African game

The United Cricket Board held a very productive meeting today with former players, administrators and current players to evaluate the state of cricket in South Africa. Key issues on the agenda related to the management of the national team, coaching, team leadership, discipline and the question of transformation.

Discussions also ranged around the performance of the national side against Australia in the recent series to matters of selection and planning for World Cup 2003.

UCB CEO Gerald Majola, who convened the meeting, told delegates that the aim of the exercise was to "allow for introspection and to begin a process that would enable the UCB to prepare adequately administratively and on the field for the World Cup".

"We want a plan in place to win the World Cup and to set up a process that would take cricket beyond the tournament. We want to make South Africa the number one side in the world," Mr Majola added.

Mr Majola stressed that the views that the participants had expressed on a wide range of issues affecting South African cricket would inform the UCB in its strategy for the tournament.

The meeting was split into two sessions, with the first group made up of former players - including Pat Symcox, Peter Kirsten, Omar Henry, Craig Matthews, Hugh Page, Eric Simons, Andrew Hudson and Fanie de Villiers.

Also at the morning session were the former Managing Director of the UCB, Dr Ali Bacher, and some provincial coaches.

The afternoon session consisted of current players, Shaun Pollock, Jonty Rhodes, Gary Kirsten, Makhaya Ntini, Steve Elworthy, Ashwell Prince and Mark Boucher. The national team management and selectors also took part in the afternoon workshop.

Both sessions were characterised by a healthy exchange of ideas in a positive and constructive atmosphere.

The workshop decided to ask the UCB General Council to consider the establishment of a National Cricket Committee to assist the UCB to plan and strategize cricket issues for the World Cup.

The composition of the committee will be determined by the UCB General Council. Its primary function will be to provide advice on the management of the national team and to develop a cricketing strategy for the team - with a primary focus on the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup. Mr Majola will table the matter at the next Council meeting on Saturday.

Commenting on the meeting, Mr Majola said: "It's no easy task to get a focussed set of proposals from such a wide ranging group of individuals. But we are united in our desire to ensure the World Cup is ours and all those present agreed to do whatever necessary to make that happen. We recognise the importance of rallying the nation behind the national team and hope that we can move forward in unity from now on."

Mr Majola added his thanks to everyone who participated in the sessions. "I was impressed by the openness, the preparedness and the effort which everyone put in, as well as the fact that they gave so much of their valuable time to South African cricket."

In tribute to Walter Masimula, the Gauteng cricketer who passed away in England last week, there was a minute's silence at the meeting.