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Jennings still in the running
10/02/2005 12:36 - (SA)
East London - South African coach Ray Jennings is not out of the picture as far as the appointment of a new coach for the team is concerned.
That was the view of the CEO of the United Cricket Board of South Africa, Gerald Majola, when he spoke to journalists during the fifth limited overs match at Buffalo Park on Wednesday.
Majola said the UCB were looking for the best possible coach for the team.
He said Jennings had done a good job so far, and would definitely be considered, if he applied for the position.
Majola said that the UCB would not rule out the possibility of giving the new coach the final say in the selection of the team. "It would depend on how he presents his case," he said. "If it makes sense to us, and if it makes our structures work, we'll consider it. But it's never happened before. We will do whatever's best for the team."
He rejected suggestions that Jennings was in a difficult position because he had been appointed as interim coach. "When he accepted the position, he knew exactly what he was going into. He's done a good job so far, particularly if you look at where we came from, he's taken this team a few steps up from where it began."
Achieving targets
He said that as far as selection policies were concerned, the UCB had set targets, and he believed they were achieving those targets. "We will set targets for the World Cup in 2007, and we are confident of achieving them.
"The transformation of cricket is not something that will happen overnight," he explained. "You have to look at the history of South Africa, and where we've come from. Our development programme is going forward, and we are in the process of taking cricket to the people. I believe that in 10 years time, the majority of players in the team will be black. We are happy that the team that has been selected is the best team available."
Majola said he was not concerned that many white players might turn their backs on South Africa and try to qualify to play for England, like Kevin Pietersen. He said that when Pietersen had been playing in South Africa, he had been up against the likes of Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener, and had been unable to get into the provincial team.
"I don't know the circumstances of why Pietersen decided to go to England, but my advice to any player who is dropped is to fight to regain his place."
He did not think there would be a "talent drain" out of South Africa. "Many players go and play in England, but are still available to play for South Africa. We will try to keep our players, and we believe the franchise system will protect the best players. There will always be players on the periphery, and they may well try their luck elsewhere. The best players know they will always have an equal chance to play for South Africa."
- SAPA
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