When Ashwell Prince moved from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town back in late 1990s he quickly became aware of the levels of prejudice that existed in the professional, domestic game – not that he was unfamiliar with prejudicial bias having endured it at every stage of his young career.
I have a huge problem with the fact that sweeping allegations of racism have been reported as fact by the media without the alleged perpetrators being given an opportunity to respond to the allegations. Its palpably wrong not to apply the audi alteram partem rule in a process that is meant to contribute to "nation building". Typical of CSA's incompetent and destructive officials. They simply don't have a clue about anything, let alone cricket!!!
As soon as you veer away from the simple selection philosophy of ‘picking the best available’, only trouble can follow. The better performed and more deserving players who didn’t even get to tour because of racial quotas, have got a far more justifiable gripe than the likes of Telemachus, Phangiso and Zhondo who didn’t get a game on tour.
Where's the inquiry for that injustice?
Quotas have not worked and will never work. You cannot transform a game from the top downwards. All they have done is drop the quality of the 1st Class system and forced 20+ of the best domestic players to England where they are not discriminated against on the basis of their race.
If there is to be any healing, then quotas must go, and EVERYONE must be picked on merit.
One of the most personal articles you have shared Niel. Thank you.
I have a huge problem with the fact that sweeping allegations of racism have been reported as fact by the media without the alleged perpetrators being given an opportunity to respond to the allegations. Its palpably wrong not to apply the audi alteram partem rule in a process that is meant to contribute to "nation building". Typical of CSA's incompetent and destructive officials. They simply don't have a clue about anything, let alone cricket!!!
As soon as you veer away from the simple selection philosophy of ‘picking the best available’, only trouble can follow. The better performed and more deserving players who didn’t even get to tour because of racial quotas, have got a far more justifiable gripe than the likes of Telemachus, Phangiso and Zhondo who didn’t get a game on tour.
Where's the inquiry for that injustice?
Quotas have not worked and will never work. You cannot transform a game from the top downwards. All they have done is drop the quality of the 1st Class system and forced 20+ of the best domestic players to England where they are not discriminated against on the basis of their race.
If there is to be any healing, then quotas must go, and EVERYONE must be picked on merit.
Good article, as always. Maybe cricket can take a leaf out of rugby's book, the Springboks are World Champions and everyone seems to get on fine.