Well written ( again!) with a sensitive approach as there are far too many that easily get their backs up when this topic is broached. Let any youngster make his own decision based on very personal factors as to where he ultimately wishes to play cricket and to also earn a living. We applaud success on the field of play and need to at the same time create an environment that is attractive and filled with reasons to remain here.
So good to hear from again, Dev. You're absolutely right. My main point was that players will ALWAYS leave SA because we produce too many to be sustained here and because of economic realities. All we can do is make the environment at home as attractive and as viable as possible. At the moment I'm not sure that is the case. I believe more can be done...
Unfortunately with the current racist laws enforced by the ANC government there's really no choice for the player. Every young cricketer, regardless of race should be asking themselves if the current administrators have created an environment to allow them to prosper and enhance their skills with strong local competitions and if not then why would they want to play for this country? Take the money and don't look back. Remember, the people voted for this mess.
Hilton, there are biases and prejudices in selection in every country in the world, I assure you. They are as obvious in India, Australia and England as they are in South Africa, it's just that they are not legislated anywhere else. A player is a great deal more likely to play international cricket if he plays for New South Wales or Surrey rather than Tasmania or Glamorgan.
I am interested to know more on this unwelcome slew of administrative stories going on in South Africa. Please elaborate sir because I think these words are dangerous without the writer being specific.
Hi Michael, I'm not sure if you are being serious. If you are, I find your comments bizarre. Have you not been following South African cricket for the last 4/5 years? I wasn't being vague - the game and its administrators were on the front pages of newspapers for years, for all the wrong reasons, and the country's professional cricketers lost all faith in their employers. And it has yet to be regained.
Thank you for your reply. The way you came across in this article was as though there were new issues that have popped up at cricket's national headquarters. Unless there are lingering problems still?
We are well aware of what happened prior to the recently concluded season. The less said about that, the better.
Keep an eye on 18 year old Trystan Kennedy. Top order batsman. His family moved from Joburg (St Stithians) about 6 years ago. He plays 1st Grade for Gordon in Sydney, and is currently playing for Old Owen’s CC, Potters Bar, UK. The kid can play.
I certainly will keep an eye out for Trystan. I always try to keep track of South Africans playing other countries but I would need staff to so now... but seeing as you've pointed him out, I'll be watching with interest!
The little 7 going backwards .. IPL 12 months contract not v far away boards become less powerful as they (IPL)look at securing their own tv rights …top 3 get maybe 4/6 week window to play tests..
It looks and feels inevitable, doesn't it? Perhaps it is. The only way to challenge this 'progress' is to be better at Test cricket than the 'big three' - keep beating them. Win the World Test Championship. Then, perhaps, they'll have to take the 'upstarts' more seriously. (Or just give up on Test cricket entirely...) :(
Well written ( again!) with a sensitive approach as there are far too many that easily get their backs up when this topic is broached. Let any youngster make his own decision based on very personal factors as to where he ultimately wishes to play cricket and to also earn a living. We applaud success on the field of play and need to at the same time create an environment that is attractive and filled with reasons to remain here.
So good to hear from again, Dev. You're absolutely right. My main point was that players will ALWAYS leave SA because we produce too many to be sustained here and because of economic realities. All we can do is make the environment at home as attractive and as viable as possible. At the moment I'm not sure that is the case. I believe more can be done...
Unfortunately with the current racist laws enforced by the ANC government there's really no choice for the player. Every young cricketer, regardless of race should be asking themselves if the current administrators have created an environment to allow them to prosper and enhance their skills with strong local competitions and if not then why would they want to play for this country? Take the money and don't look back. Remember, the people voted for this mess.
Hilton, there are biases and prejudices in selection in every country in the world, I assure you. They are as obvious in India, Australia and England as they are in South Africa, it's just that they are not legislated anywhere else. A player is a great deal more likely to play international cricket if he plays for New South Wales or Surrey rather than Tasmania or Glamorgan.
I am interested to know more on this unwelcome slew of administrative stories going on in South Africa. Please elaborate sir because I think these words are dangerous without the writer being specific.
Hi Michael, I'm not sure if you are being serious. If you are, I find your comments bizarre. Have you not been following South African cricket for the last 4/5 years? I wasn't being vague - the game and its administrators were on the front pages of newspapers for years, for all the wrong reasons, and the country's professional cricketers lost all faith in their employers. And it has yet to be regained.
Thank you for your reply. The way you came across in this article was as though there were new issues that have popped up at cricket's national headquarters. Unless there are lingering problems still?
We are well aware of what happened prior to the recently concluded season. The less said about that, the better.
Keep an eye on 18 year old Trystan Kennedy. Top order batsman. His family moved from Joburg (St Stithians) about 6 years ago. He plays 1st Grade for Gordon in Sydney, and is currently playing for Old Owen’s CC, Potters Bar, UK. The kid can play.
Hi Gavin,
I certainly will keep an eye out for Trystan. I always try to keep track of South Africans playing other countries but I would need staff to so now... but seeing as you've pointed him out, I'll be watching with interest!
One minor (but important!) correction: if Scotland lose to the Netherlands, they MAY still qualify. It depends by how much they lose.
I know - something like 35 runs or five overs is Scotland's margin, I'm told. That sound about right?
My understanding was that it depends on how much the team batting first scores--I think those were the figures for 250..
The little 7 going backwards .. IPL 12 months contract not v far away boards become less powerful as they (IPL)look at securing their own tv rights …top 3 get maybe 4/6 week window to play tests..
It looks and feels inevitable, doesn't it? Perhaps it is. The only way to challenge this 'progress' is to be better at Test cricket than the 'big three' - keep beating them. Win the World Test Championship. Then, perhaps, they'll have to take the 'upstarts' more seriously. (Or just give up on Test cricket entirely...) :(