Altus Momberg
Cape Town – The days of a selection panel in South African cricket are apparently over following the sacking of the selectors on Wednesday.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Gerald Majola announced on Wednesday that Mike Procter (convenor), Craig Matthews, Mustapha Khan and Winkie Ximaya had been axed.
Majola (caretaker convenor), Corrie van Zyl (coach) and Kepler Wessels (batting consultant) will pick the team during the forthcoming series against India.
It appears as if South African cricket bosses have decided that the concept of a selection panel is outdated and that only one national selector will in future assist the coach with the selection of the team.
The restructuring of the selection panel will be completed as soon as the Proteas have a new coach.
Matthews told Sport24 on Wednesday that the news had come as a shock.
“We had no idea that CSA wanted to get rid of us. But I have to say that nothing surprises me in South African cricket,” said the former Proteas seamer.
“Gerald informed us that the board felt that the selection process is flawed and that is why we have been axed.”
Matthews does not believe that he lost his position because his performance was not up to scratch.
“It’s not as if CSA decided that the four of us could not do the job and appointed four others. They decided that the concept of a selection committee does not work in modern cricket,” he said.
“I don’t have any problem with that. CSA are in charge of cricket in the country and must take the decisions that they believe are in the game’s best interests. They must also take responsibility for the team’s performances.”
Matthews added that he would be furious if they appointed four new selectors to pick the team after the restructuring.
Wessels confirmed on Wednesday that he would accompany the team to India.
“I have been asked to work as batting consultant and assist Corrie van Zyl (caretaker coach),” said Wessels.
He added that he would only be a selector for this tour.
“I have a long association with SuperSport and they have given me leave to help the Proteas. It will be difficult to serve as a selector on a long-term basis. CSA don’t like their selectors doing broadcasting and I am very loyal to SuperSport,” said Wessels.
Cape Town – The days of a selection panel in South African cricket are apparently over following the sacking of the selectors on Wednesday.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Gerald Majola announced on Wednesday that Mike Procter (convenor), Craig Matthews, Mustapha Khan and Winkie Ximaya had been axed.
Majola (caretaker convenor), Corrie van Zyl (coach) and Kepler Wessels (batting consultant) will pick the team during the forthcoming series against India.
It appears as if South African cricket bosses have decided that the concept of a selection panel is outdated and that only one national selector will in future assist the coach with the selection of the team.
The restructuring of the selection panel will be completed as soon as the Proteas have a new coach.
Matthews told Sport24 on Wednesday that the news had come as a shock.
“We had no idea that CSA wanted to get rid of us. But I have to say that nothing surprises me in South African cricket,” said the former Proteas seamer.
“Gerald informed us that the board felt that the selection process is flawed and that is why we have been axed.”
Matthews does not believe that he lost his position because his performance was not up to scratch.
“It’s not as if CSA decided that the four of us could not do the job and appointed four others. They decided that the concept of a selection committee does not work in modern cricket,” he said.
“I don’t have any problem with that. CSA are in charge of cricket in the country and must take the decisions that they believe are in the game’s best interests. They must also take responsibility for the team’s performances.”
Matthews added that he would be furious if they appointed four new selectors to pick the team after the restructuring.
Wessels confirmed on Wednesday that he would accompany the team to India.
“I have been asked to work as batting consultant and assist Corrie van Zyl (caretaker coach),” said Wessels.
He added that he would only be a selector for this tour.
“I have a long association with SuperSport and they have given me leave to help the Proteas. It will be difficult to serve as a selector on a long-term basis. CSA don’t like their selectors doing broadcasting and I am very loyal to SuperSport,” said Wessels.