'Merit is the only yardstick'
2005-12-23 21:08
Christo Buchner
Melbourne - Australia could not do the expected in the first Test against South Africa in Perth and now the Aussies have resorted to using the quota threat in order to try and get the South African's off their stride.
On Friday the local media tried putting pressure on the South Africans for the second Test by stating that there would be a quota problem if Jacques Kallis and Nicky Boje were to be brought back into the team.
The general thinking was that Ashwell Prince and Charl Langeveldt would have to make way for Kallis and Boje.
The Aussies said Makhaya Ntini and Herschelle Gibbs would be the only players of colour in the SA team.
The Aussies asked the question whether this would not lead to dissatisfaction on the part of the South African government if the number of non-white players were to be reduced by half.
Graeme Smith, captain of the visiting SA side, said the team would be chosen on merit alone.
"The team selection won't be easy, but that has nothing to do with colour. It is difficult because so many players are staking a claim.
"When the selectors name their team merit is the only yardstick. They are looking for the best combination to win the Test for us. The Aussies are now scratching where there is no itch," he said.
They should rather look at their own quota problems first. The head of Andrew Symonds, the only player of colour, is being sought after.
One of the great Aussie cricketers of past said on Friday that Australian cricket would not advance unless Symonds was thrown out of the side.
"They should get rid of him as soon as possible," said Dennis Lillee.
There is a lot of pressure on Symonds to register a score. He is an excellent one-day player, but has struggled to make his presence felt in the Test arena.
- Beeld