Henry wants race row indaba

2008-03-23 21:03

Johannesburg - Cricket South Africa's former convener of selectors Omar Henry called on cricket bosses to convene a "national indaba" to help find an answer to the continual race rows that plague the organisation.

Afrikaans newspaper Sondag told that such a meeting would allow everyone to talk the problem out as well as find out whether allegations of "clicks" in the national set-up were true.

"Over the past year cricket has stumbled from one crisis to the next in the country, starting with Jacques Kallis's omission from the Twenty20 World Cup team because of interference by CSA president Norman Arendse.

"Take Charl Langeveldt. Here we have a situation where he would have been a better choice for the Indian wickets than Nel. You need someone who can swing the ball and that's why he would be an option.

In the past, two players - Garnett Kruger and Loots Bosman - have both complained about the dynamics of the team and the "clicks" that were formed within the team."

But another former convener of selectors, Haroon Lorgat told the newspaper that such an indaba was a waste of time.

Opposed to Langeveldt's withdrawal

"There is nothing wrong with the transformation policy of Cricket South Africa. The problems come when it is implemented and in the leadership and communication between the key figures in this regard. It doesn't help to point the finger to the president and his veto right, all the responsible parties must take the responsibility of their positions for the transformation policy."

A third former convener of selectors, Rushdi Magiet told Sondag he was opposed to Langeveldt's withdrawal.

"He never should have done it. While I can't prove it, I feel there was indirect pressure on Charl to withdraw from the team.

"When Graeme Smith told the world that Andre Nel was emotional and "we" (his teammates) were all emotional with him, then it puts pressure indirectly on Charl.

"Black players don't always get fair chances in this game and if it wasn't for quotas and CSA's transformation policy then players of colour would never be given the chances they get. The hearts and minds of selectors and administrators have not changed enough yet."

- SAPA