That was as a grim a batting display as South Africa have ever produced in a One-Day International and the mood of gloom about their prospects of having to play in the World Cup pre-qualifying tournament deepened.
All teams essentially face two tasks: get the job done (whatever that may be), and maintain good working relationships. Too much focus on the former and relationships suffer (witness the current SJN hearings); too much on the latter and, in cricketing terms, you don't win. If any team, in any sport, wants to win at international level the best available team has to be selected. The Proteas' current selection criteria will help bolster team relationships, but they are destined to lose when faced with more functional teams. You can't have it both ways.
Strong and valid argument, Murray. The essence of elite sport is the drive to be amongst the best, and to be rewarded for getting there. But I must also say that 'hidden' selection criteria exist in every country, and there are biases which stretch back centuries. Many Indian teams have been selected on the basis of 'class' and 'caste' and no England teams were selected for a century without the appropriate quota of Surrey and Middlesex players... :)
I doubt if the current selection criteria helps in bolstering team relationships, it makes everyone other than the administrators suffer. In any case, the best teams are able to put aside differences when they step on the field. SA not quite.
I wasn't quite clear in my original post. I was thinking more about Faf and Chris Morris - and others - being ignored. Teams who want to win choose their best players, regardless of effort etc. But I agree with you: it's all a bit of a mess with not a lot of light in the tunnel.
Oh! I see. I can't figure out whose ego is getting in the way. DoC and Coach wanted AB back, so I can't imagine them having a problem with Faf and Morris. SA should adapt to the current economic realities by accepting freelancers, otherwise in 8 years time they will have the same problem with QDK and KG.
I agree entirely about economic realities. Adapt or perish. But then we are assuming that people will make rational decisions, and the history of humankind is a bit patchy in that regard. I just don't know enough about the realities on the ground, but Neil suggests that DoC and Coach are anti freelancers, hence they ignore Faf and Morris. SA rugby has had to come to terms with economics, to good effect. The cricketing crowd have much to learn. Nice chatting!
All teams essentially face two tasks: get the job done (whatever that may be), and maintain good working relationships. Too much focus on the former and relationships suffer (witness the current SJN hearings); too much on the latter and, in cricketing terms, you don't win. If any team, in any sport, wants to win at international level the best available team has to be selected. The Proteas' current selection criteria will help bolster team relationships, but they are destined to lose when faced with more functional teams. You can't have it both ways.
Strong and valid argument, Murray. The essence of elite sport is the drive to be amongst the best, and to be rewarded for getting there. But I must also say that 'hidden' selection criteria exist in every country, and there are biases which stretch back centuries. Many Indian teams have been selected on the basis of 'class' and 'caste' and no England teams were selected for a century without the appropriate quota of Surrey and Middlesex players... :)
I doubt if the current selection criteria helps in bolstering team relationships, it makes everyone other than the administrators suffer. In any case, the best teams are able to put aside differences when they step on the field. SA not quite.
I wasn't quite clear in my original post. I was thinking more about Faf and Chris Morris - and others - being ignored. Teams who want to win choose their best players, regardless of effort etc. But I agree with you: it's all a bit of a mess with not a lot of light in the tunnel.
Oh! I see. I can't figure out whose ego is getting in the way. DoC and Coach wanted AB back, so I can't imagine them having a problem with Faf and Morris. SA should adapt to the current economic realities by accepting freelancers, otherwise in 8 years time they will have the same problem with QDK and KG.
I agree entirely about economic realities. Adapt or perish. But then we are assuming that people will make rational decisions, and the history of humankind is a bit patchy in that regard. I just don't know enough about the realities on the ground, but Neil suggests that DoC and Coach are anti freelancers, hence they ignore Faf and Morris. SA rugby has had to come to terms with economics, to good effect. The cricketing crowd have much to learn. Nice chatting!