It is tragic what is happening in South African cricket. Don't blame the players too readily. The core problem lies with the administration who have allowed themselves to become entangled with political considerations. In contrast, rugby administrators have displayed for years now an insight and understanding of the dynamics of their sport and the role it plays in the South African psyche. If our administrators do not bury their pride and refuse to seek the counsel of the top rugby administrators - not just Rassie but the key top decsion-makers - then cricket in South Africa will continue its downward descent into a minor sport.
Manners, you are a man of influence in the cricket world. Take the lead and wake up these people to what is expected of top sport administrators .
I fear you may be over-estimating my 'influence', Ron! The problem is that there are so many 'administrators' on the CSA Executive rather than 'cricket administrators'. And the influence of the self-serving provincial presidents is still far too great, even though the non-independent directors are now in the minority. It's just bonkers that the likes of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, surviving on CSA handouts, have an equal say (vote) to provinces like Northerns, KZN and Gauteng which are profitable businesses. Rugby has its problems, no doubt about that, but it's the tip of the pyramid which counts most (financially) and winning World Cups certainly helps...!
Appreciate your thoughtful response Neil. However I can "hear" cricket lovers testifying as do II that your voice will be heard. For example, a formal public letter from you to Lawson Naidoo, (Chairman of the CSA with international credibility based on his legal expertise,) calling upon Naidoo to display his immense leadership skills aimed at resurrecting cricket in South Africa would start the process. Ali Bacher might well be the man Neil that you approach for some "inspired inside track" advice regarding how to take it further. Wishing you strength and fortitude!
Unfortunately there is much that is wrong with South African cricket. Starts at local franchise level where players, when they're not playing for the Proteas appear, I say appear because I'm not 100% sure of this, to not represent their province but have a rest. So the strength of this local competitions are weak.
Next is the selectors and how they go about selecting players. It seems that anyone who has one fairly decent season, whether it be franchise or SCHOOL level, is then picked for the Proteas. Some other player is then dropped to make way for this new player. Brevis anyone? But he's just one name. Too many players are being chosen and not therefore being given enough time to "settle in" and get used to the tougher competition before being "rested" or dropped. What was the point of taking the school boy to the West Indies when they must have known he was in Matric and had his Matric exams coming up. He therefore played in one series before being rested and having to be replaced by someone else. Surely no harm would have been done if he was only chosen after his exams? It's well and good having a good number of reserves but what's the point if they don't get battle hardened by playing in a number of consecutive matches.
Anyway, that's my thoughts on this matter. I may be wrong but it's how I'm thinking.
It is also a reflection of what a good side Afghanistan has become in these Asian conditions. And, they keep churning out these mystery spinners. It will be a fun to watch them against Bangladesh in Bangladesh and I expect a tough competition from the Bangladeshi players especially after their exploits in Pakistan though they were beaten by a Champion Indian team. Probably, Shukri Conrad is following their progress in India and how to combat their threat. I think they should hire some consultant from sub continent in order to tackle spin.
Good heavens, our cricket coaches need to learn from Rassie & Jacques!...... Of course we lost our good 'analyst' some years ago. Prassana is his name?
It is tragic what is happening in South African cricket. Don't blame the players too readily. The core problem lies with the administration who have allowed themselves to become entangled with political considerations. In contrast, rugby administrators have displayed for years now an insight and understanding of the dynamics of their sport and the role it plays in the South African psyche. If our administrators do not bury their pride and refuse to seek the counsel of the top rugby administrators - not just Rassie but the key top decsion-makers - then cricket in South Africa will continue its downward descent into a minor sport.
Manners, you are a man of influence in the cricket world. Take the lead and wake up these people to what is expected of top sport administrators .
I fear you may be over-estimating my 'influence', Ron! The problem is that there are so many 'administrators' on the CSA Executive rather than 'cricket administrators'. And the influence of the self-serving provincial presidents is still far too great, even though the non-independent directors are now in the minority. It's just bonkers that the likes of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, surviving on CSA handouts, have an equal say (vote) to provinces like Northerns, KZN and Gauteng which are profitable businesses. Rugby has its problems, no doubt about that, but it's the tip of the pyramid which counts most (financially) and winning World Cups certainly helps...!
Appreciate your thoughtful response Neil. However I can "hear" cricket lovers testifying as do II that your voice will be heard. For example, a formal public letter from you to Lawson Naidoo, (Chairman of the CSA with international credibility based on his legal expertise,) calling upon Naidoo to display his immense leadership skills aimed at resurrecting cricket in South Africa would start the process. Ali Bacher might well be the man Neil that you approach for some "inspired inside track" advice regarding how to take it further. Wishing you strength and fortitude!
Unfortunately there is much that is wrong with South African cricket. Starts at local franchise level where players, when they're not playing for the Proteas appear, I say appear because I'm not 100% sure of this, to not represent their province but have a rest. So the strength of this local competitions are weak.
Next is the selectors and how they go about selecting players. It seems that anyone who has one fairly decent season, whether it be franchise or SCHOOL level, is then picked for the Proteas. Some other player is then dropped to make way for this new player. Brevis anyone? But he's just one name. Too many players are being chosen and not therefore being given enough time to "settle in" and get used to the tougher competition before being "rested" or dropped. What was the point of taking the school boy to the West Indies when they must have known he was in Matric and had his Matric exams coming up. He therefore played in one series before being rested and having to be replaced by someone else. Surely no harm would have been done if he was only chosen after his exams? It's well and good having a good number of reserves but what's the point if they don't get battle hardened by playing in a number of consecutive matches.
Anyway, that's my thoughts on this matter. I may be wrong but it's how I'm thinking.
Hi Neil.
Was Dewald Brevis in the SA squad for the Afghanistan series?
I didn't see his name in any of the games...
Was he available?
It is also a reflection of what a good side Afghanistan has become in these Asian conditions. And, they keep churning out these mystery spinners. It will be a fun to watch them against Bangladesh in Bangladesh and I expect a tough competition from the Bangladeshi players especially after their exploits in Pakistan though they were beaten by a Champion Indian team. Probably, Shukri Conrad is following their progress in India and how to combat their threat. I think they should hire some consultant from sub continent in order to tackle spin.
Good heavens, our cricket coaches need to learn from Rassie & Jacques!...... Of course we lost our good 'analyst' some years ago. Prassana is his name?