Black and white issue in selection for Proteas
SOUTH Africa escaped the Kagiso Rabada ban in Cape Town, but the team may be in serious trouble with their own government after failing to hit selection targets for coloured and black players.
Despite fielding four coloured bowlers in the successful second Test, the side is well behind on the quotas which are strictly enforced and measured from April to April.
In the past, the government banned cricket from bidding for international events when it did not hit the target.
The South African side must field an average of six coloured players – four coloured (54.5 per cent) and two black players (18.8 per cent) – in each match. Figures posted on the Cricinfo website yesterday reveal the Test side has only fielded about 45 per cent players of colour in the 12-month period.
The controversial targets have, even when not so strictly enforced, caused a number of white players to leave.
Kevin Pietersen, who retired this week after a successful career for England, abandoned South Africa when a coloured player was chosen over him in representative cricket. Two of AB de Villiers’ classmates left the country for similar reasons.
There was almost a walkout when Vernon Philander, who was considered unfit, was named ahead of Kyle Abbott in the semi-final of the 2015 World Cup.
Abbott has since left to play in England.