South Africa’s ICC T20 World Cup fell short of its milestone targets, with the board admitting that “various initiatives over the years have not yielded the desired results, particularly in terms of producing Black African cricketers at the highest level.”
This would not hamper or interfere in the selection process, regardless of heavy criticism from people nationwide across South Africa.
What was the target for squad selection
Cricket South Africa’s current ambitions require a national team to be fielded for the season, with six colored players in the XI, two of whom must be black Africans.
The initial 15-man squad for the 2024 tournament consists of six players of color, with only one, fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, being a black African.
Even though CSA has a chance to improve on this average during the 2024-25 summer season, having Reeza Hendricks, Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rabada and Ottniel Baartman play all games in the T20 WC, will still not reach the target of two black African players in the tournament.
ICC president criticizes the sport of ‘going backwards’
Speaking on the national broadcaster SABC, the former CSA and International Cricket Council (ICC) president criticized the sport for going “backwards” and “betraying the people who asked us to negotiate unity”.
Also, the former sports minister of South Africa, Fikile Mbalula, the secretary general of the ruling African National Congress, called it a “reversal of the gains of transformation”.
Mali was also quick to point out how the selection for a whole squad of cricketers is done by an individual, as CSA does not have a selection committee. The decision-making in hands of head coaches: Shukri Conrad (in Tests) and Rob Walter (white-ball cricket). Both coaches make final decisions in selection with consultations from director of cricket, Enoch Nkwe.
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