South African cricketers and role players have urged CSA convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang to be honest when a player is not selected because of transformation targets.
Rapport newspaper spoke to several players and other role players in South African cricket who criticised Mpitsang for his poor communication.
“We all understand that there are certain numbers you have to look at, with black and coloured players who have to be in the team, and I don’t think he’s always honest about the reasons why players are left out,” said one source.
According to the source, players and coaches are often annoyed when Mpitsang tries to find cricketing reasons for certain selections, when there aren’t any.
Recent examples include Bjorn Fortuin’s selection for the Proteas T20 World Cup squad ahead of George Linde, and Temba Bavuma being backed at the expense of Reeza Hendricks throughout the tournament.
When arguing for Andile Phehlukwayo to replace the injured Dwaine Pretorius in the Proteas T20 World Cup squad, Mpitsang reportedly claimed Phehlukwayo is a better bowler than Marco Jansen. Jansen did end up being selected.
“Players want to know the reasons [why they were not selected]; they seek the truth. I think Vic doesn’t always know what to say to the players,” said the source.
“The racial bean counting is poison. And the players know it. I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t even want to sign national contracts anymore.”
A current Proteas player told Rapport that the reasons the selectors give for their choices “have left a lot to be desired for quite some time”.
“The whole [Ryan] Rickelton situation is a very good example,” he said.” They lost the trust of most local players and players on the fringe of the national team a long time ago.”
