Hudson out as Proteas convenor?

Cape Town - Andrew Hudson’s tenure as Cricket South Africa’s convenor of selectors is likely to come to an end.

READ: Did SMS cost Proteas World Cup?

CSA is currently searching for a new selection panel after the contracts of all four panel members - Hudson, Shafiek Abrahams, Hussein Manack and Linda Zondi - came to an end after this year's Cricket World Cup in March.

The provincial union's CEOs and presidents have already been informed that they must vote for a new selection panel, with the deadline for nominations being Thursday, April 30.

The current panel can be re-appointed if they are again nominated.

According to the ESPNcricinfo website, Abrahams, Manack and Zondi are all expected to keep their positions, but Hudson is likely to be replaced.

According to the cricket specialist website, there are believed to be conflicting reasons behind Hudson’s imminent departure.

One insider said that Hudson has been in his role for too long (since 2010) and that the "time seems right for change" considering the fact that Hudson has another job (at FNB) and his desire to spend with his young family.

Another insider revealed that Hudson may be pushed out as part of the ongoing agenda towards aggressive transformation.

"They need someone who is a little more active in transformation and he (Hudson) isn't driving that,” the insider revealed.

Another source said Hudson was partly to blame for the SMS scandal which broke following the Proteas’ Cricket World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand.

Media reports indicated that CSA CEO Haroon Lorgat sent an SMS to Proteas coach Russell Domingo to pick four players of colour for the semi-final match.

While there is no specific quota for the national team, the target is to always have at least four players of colour in the starting XI.

"Everybody knows we have to play four players of colour so that should have been done in the first place to avoid all this," the source said.

It’s still unsure who will replace Hudson, but the name of former Proteas batsman Ashwell Prince has reportedly been mentioned.