Cape Town - In an attempt to speed up transformation, the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) is reportedly considering adding a ‘Black African’ club to its premier two-day league.
According to www.clubcricket.co.za, the WPCA’s premier league could be increased from 10 to 12 teams next season.
The website - which focuses on South African club cricket - states that the WPCA local leagues committee has recommended that Brackenfell Cricket Club be added to WP’s league, as well as a ‘Black African’ club.
Brackenfell are currently part of the Boland Cricket Board, but the proposal was reportedly put forward in a bid to comply with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s geo-political boundaries.
It was also suggested that another Boland club, Kraaifontein, and another ‘Black African’ club be added to the first division A.
According to the recommendations, the ‘Black African’ clubs will not be relegated, regardless of their log position in the premier league or first division A.
The additions of the ‘Black African’ clubs will increase the pool of ethnic black African players available for selection in the Western Province and Cape Cobras teams.
According to Cricket South Africa’s quota regulations, franchise teams must field a minimum of SIX players of colour in their starting XIs, while at least THREE of those players are required to be black African.
An earlier attempt from the WPCA association to improve black African representation was to try and urge clubs to at all times field at least one black African player in their starting XIs throughout the season.
However, the clubs were not believed to be in favour of this proposal.