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Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer
Cape Town – The South African Cricketers’ Association has backed as a “temporary solution” the announcement that Gerald Majola, CEO of Cricket South Africa, will also now double as convenor of national selectors.
CSA announced at a press conference in East London on Wednesday - where Mickey Arthur’s resignation as Proteas coach also finally became “official” - that Majola would head up a new, three-strong panel after the entire group under Mike Procter’s leadership were “relieved of their duties as part of (a) restructuring process”.
The CSA supremo will have Corrie van Zyl, interim coach for South Africa’s imminent tour of India, and Kepler Wessels, the former national captain, SuperSport commentator and one of the names most strongly touted to replace Arthur on a full-time basis, as co-selectors.
It would probably be considered unorthodox, at least, by most countries for the national umbrella body’s CEO to serve as selection chief as well, but SACA’s CEO Tony Irish told Sport24 on Wednesday “we understand it to be a temporary (appointment) as an interim solution was required”.
He said SACA viewed it as a “low-impact move” given the present climate.
“Don’t forget that the squads for India have already been picked, and on tour it is mostly standard practice for the captain and coach to decide who actually gets onto the field.
“Only if a replacement player needs to be flown out would the selection panel come into the picture.
“So we are not too concerned about the situation … someone needed to step into the shoes.
“It is important, of course, that the structures going forward are well thought-out, and are in line with modern international best practice. We are happy as long as there is a rigorous process involved in shaping the way ahead (from a national selection point of view).”
CSA have scheduled a “structural overhaul” at a major meeting on February 19.
It is worth bearing in mind that despite his status in recent times as a powerful suit-and-tie official, Majola comes from an illustrious cricketing family – his late brother Khaya was a pre-unity legend of the non-racial SA Cricket Board – and Gerald himself played 33 first-class matches for Eastern Province.
Getting Wessels on board as a national selector also seems a further sign of the uncompromising former Australia and South Africa batsman edging closer to a meaningful role in CSA matters after a long spell as a sometimes vocal critic of the body.
Cape Town – The South African Cricketers’ Association has backed as a “temporary solution” the announcement that Gerald Majola, CEO of Cricket South Africa, will also now double as convenor of national selectors.
CSA announced at a press conference in East London on Wednesday - where Mickey Arthur’s resignation as Proteas coach also finally became “official” - that Majola would head up a new, three-strong panel after the entire group under Mike Procter’s leadership were “relieved of their duties as part of (a) restructuring process”.
The CSA supremo will have Corrie van Zyl, interim coach for South Africa’s imminent tour of India, and Kepler Wessels, the former national captain, SuperSport commentator and one of the names most strongly touted to replace Arthur on a full-time basis, as co-selectors.
It would probably be considered unorthodox, at least, by most countries for the national umbrella body’s CEO to serve as selection chief as well, but SACA’s CEO Tony Irish told Sport24 on Wednesday “we understand it to be a temporary (appointment) as an interim solution was required”.
He said SACA viewed it as a “low-impact move” given the present climate.
“Don’t forget that the squads for India have already been picked, and on tour it is mostly standard practice for the captain and coach to decide who actually gets onto the field.
“Only if a replacement player needs to be flown out would the selection panel come into the picture.
“So we are not too concerned about the situation … someone needed to step into the shoes.
“It is important, of course, that the structures going forward are well thought-out, and are in line with modern international best practice. We are happy as long as there is a rigorous process involved in shaping the way ahead (from a national selection point of view).”
CSA have scheduled a “structural overhaul” at a major meeting on February 19.
It is worth bearing in mind that despite his status in recent times as a powerful suit-and-tie official, Majola comes from an illustrious cricketing family – his late brother Khaya was a pre-unity legend of the non-racial SA Cricket Board – and Gerald himself played 33 first-class matches for Eastern Province.
Getting Wessels on board as a national selector also seems a further sign of the uncompromising former Australia and South Africa batsman edging closer to a meaningful role in CSA matters after a long spell as a sometimes vocal critic of the body.
