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Cricket South Africa (CSA) has come under fire for its failure to meet “transformational targets” in the selection of the South African T20 World Cup 2024 squad, with only one black African player, Kagiso Rabada, making the cut in the Aiden Markram-led team.
The impending T20 World Cup, set to commence after the culmination of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, will be hosted in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA) in June. South Africa finds itself placed in Group D alongside Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Bangladesh and Nepal.
South Africa’s T20 World Cup Squad: A cause for concern
The provisional 15-man squad announced by SA features six players of color, including Rabada. However, CSA’s policy stipulates that over a season, the South African playing XI must include six players of color, with at least two hailing from the black African community. With Rabada as the sole black African in the T20 WC squad, the team is set to fall short of this target.
Among the players of color in the squad are Reeza Hendricks, Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi and Ottniel Baartman. Lungi Ngidi, another black African player, has been included only as part of the travelling reserves.
Also READ: CSA announces home season details for 2024-25; Sri Lanka, Pakistan & England to tour South Africa
Concerns raised by former officials
Former South Africa Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula expressed his dismay over the squad composition, highlighting the lack of African representation. He took to social media to voice his concerns, emphasizing the importance of fair representation in the national cricket team.
“Only 1 African player selected in the Proteas Team for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 Team. Definitely a reserval of the gains of transformation and doesn’t reflect fair representation of all South Africans in the national cricket team,” Mbalula wrote.
Only 1 African player selected in the Proteas Team for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 Team. Definitely a reserval of the gains of transformation and doesn't reflect fair representation of all South Africans in the national cricket team pic.twitter.com/IOqMo4v5YD
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) May 13, 2024
Similarly, former CSA and ICC president Ray Mali echoed these sentiments, expressing his disappointment in the regression of the game in South Africa. Mali emphasized the need for greater inclusion of black players in the national cricket team, emphasizing that the current state of affairs is unacceptable.
Former Cricket South Africa President Ray Mali says cricket has gone backwards in the country. He says Proteas having only one Black African player in the T20 World Cup bound squad is unacceptable.
📹 #SABCSport’s @Velile_Mnyandu #SABCSportCricket pic.twitter.com/4TpHq2Hrtx
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 8, 2024
Fan discontent and support for criticism
Criticism from fans has also been directed at CSA’s decision, with many expressing their disappointment and extending their support to former Sports Minister Mbalula’s tweet. The lack of representation has sparked a debate on the progress of transformation in South African cricket and the need for greater inclusivity in team selection.
It is important to note that CSA currently operates without a committee of selectors, with squad selections being made by head coaches Shukri Conrad (Tests) and Rob Walter (ODI and T20Is). While teams have until May 25 to make modifications to their squads, any changes require approval from the ICC’s technical committee.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
South Africa board follow Racial Quota Rules :
1. A minimum of six black cricketers must be included in the national team.
2. For ODI and T20 matches:
– At least two out of the six black cricketers must be African black.
3. For Test matches:
– At least three out of the six… pic.twitter.com/pqi5FvnJAl— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952_) May 15, 2024
The South African government has criticised the CSA board for failing to produce sufficient numbers of black African players who are of international quality.#T20WorldCup2024
— Nithin Gm (@Nithin_gm1) May 15, 2024
Valid concern, but what has CSA done to nurture talented young Black cricketers at the lower levels of the game?
At the moment, the only thing that’s been implemented is a series of woefully unsustainable “quick fix” solutions with unwanted side effects. https://t.co/eUxJZy76nA
— Abhai (@Abhai_BTTG) May 13, 2024
Forget about the rainbow nation the dream has fizzled out.
— Oletta (@Oletta15148998) May 1, 2024
Only having one BA player in the SA world T20 squad is not a good look at all. But those blaming the coaches/selectors are very ill-informed. CSA as an organization has failed black cricketers at every level. Starting from the most important grassroots level. If you're gonna…
— DV (@ncakos316) May 1, 2024
cricket is still white sport go to under 11 on each province no black kids play the sport
— Zama Onceya (@ZamaOnceya) May 1, 2024
There is absolutely no problem with this if players were selected on merit however they were selected based on race which I doubt is the case, this is concerning
— Caleb Smith (@CalebSm27059829) May 2, 2024
‼️Only 1 Black African player in the Proteas 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup‼️
CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki says “it’s a concern”. With former captain Temba Bavuma being axed, Kagiso Rabada is the only black African, the lowest no. in a Proteas squad for an ICC event since 2016. pic.twitter.com/fBdYgKWTXf
— Xoli Zondo (MBA) (@XoliswaZondo) May 1, 2024
It is sad to see the scarcity of black players in the 🇿🇦 side.
But some of these players are best in their position in the world.
But do give us some names of who should be in the side ahead of them.— Maik 'o Jai 🇹🇭 🇿🇦 (@Maikojai) May 13, 2024
Very true, @zizikodwa must do something in his capacity as a Sports Arts and culture to facilitate a reform and transformation that will result in fair representation of all South African. This supremercy displayed here is very worryingsome especially when celebrating 30 years 🤦♂️
— Litshani Sidimela Magwabeni (@LtpSidimela) May 13, 2024
Yeah I got to agree with you on this 1 SG, it's like they are blamed for the poor performance of the team so far
— lawaai (@Ptlanga99) May 13, 2024
