Cricket: CSA Transformation Policy Making Waves...

It's always sad when politics and other *news* overshadow the game... cricket in this case. Here, I am... just recovering from the Andre Nel affair and awaiting a cracker of a series with India... and Cricket South Africa's transformation policy does it again! (Read bottom for background and definitions)

Poor Charl Langeveldt... Poor Andre Nel... both victims of an unpopular quota system which is threatening the growth and expresion of fine sportsmen... fast bowlers. Who's to blame? Norman Ardense? CSA? Gerald Manjola?

A motley crew of incidents...

Firstly, one the subject of Langeveldt over Nel? CL is definitely in the future plans of CSA. He's proven himself to be their ultimate ODI bowler... smart, swinging the ball away from the right-hander... and tight (plus Shaun Pollock's exit leaves a HUGE pair of shoes to fill). Yet was he the best choice for the tour of India? Let's take a quick look at the others in the pace-battery. We know Dale Steyn will take center stage... he deserves a few 100 blogs himself... Morne Morkel is promising and will definitely become along side Steyn, the Greats of the Future. Ntini is experienced, never gives up but unfortunately isn't quite in sync. So? You have a Legend climbing the ranks... a Legend of the Future... and a Master... who has been fading in the last few months. Soo, who fills the vacuum? the smart, tireless, hearty former prison warden... or the tireless, aggressive, eccentric big man?

My Answer

Nel for my 2 cents worth is the better test bowler... especially when there aren't conditions to work with... Some might argue he's too much like the other 3 (in pace) and what is needed is someone to hold the fort. Those critics might be forgetting Nel's series down-under, where he was amazing! He was unhittable and troubled the Aussies at everystage... with a bit of luck the Proteas should have tied that series 1-1. But Langeveldt can be seen as a nagger and the type of fast bowler who can work in the Indian conditions... which also holds water. He might get some reverse swing and grip off the pitch and offer a different challenge to Steyn and Ntini (or Morkel).

So? Where to next?

Well, that paragraph didn't solve anything did it? India is suseptible to pace. How much pace will be on offer is another question all together but if the batsmen can grind the runs... the pacers could knocked Kumble and Co. off the roost... even more knock the public of the roost after a successful series down-under.

Back to the issue at hand... Nel get's upset that he's left out and considers quitting... ? He has every right to feel upset... but Langeveldt doesn't want to go to India with the tag - racial quota - or in other words... "awwww pity" and He's right. So who's wrong? Well the system to begin with but let's not go there... that's an issue that has to be handled on its own.

I hope coach Mickey Arthur and Gerald Manjola, CSA CEO, spoke to Langeveldt and tried to deter him from leaving due to the row, but the issue there is Langeveldt probably knows who is Arthur's first choice. The worst thing and unfortunately what looks like the next step is... someone else coming into the squad and no disrespect for Monde Zondeki, but I don't think he's ready for India - the Final Frontier and possibly the 2nd or 3rd most difficult places to tour. I don't know if Nel would like to jump back in either... He must be still upset and doesn't himself want to be included as a political compromise - although he would know he was first choice. So, what does happen next? Most probably someone new will come into the squad... an uncapped bowler? Morkel is inexperienced enough (although many including the Great Allan Donald says he's mature beyond he's years) for the tour... so having two wet earred pacers is not a good idea.

This gives CSA a chance to redeem it-self, try and convince Nel to return to the squad I say... if not Langeveldt.

And for the two of them... don't through your futures away... Langeveldt is South Africa's first choice premiere ODI bowler and Nel is South Africa's premiere All-round bowler... After the demise of Hansie Cronje, the tears of Semi-finals and duckworth-lewis... surely South African cricket has hand its fair share of depressing endings.



Background

For many American viewers who might not be aware of the topic "CSA - Transformation Policy," let me give you a quick preview. Cricket South Africa is the governing body for cricket in South Africa (it's an English game second only to football globally and played somewhat like baseball) and its "Transformation Policy" is an Affirmative Action type system, where players of colour (or color) - (Black) African, Asian or a Mix - must make up a certain chunk of a squad (from which a final 11 is chosen) and team (the final 11).

Why the policy? Basically, these groups weren't given the freedom to represent and participate in the game during the Apartheid era in South Africa (which in turn blocked the national side from world cricket for three decades or so - which in turn made many "Great" South African players from never making headway internationally). So, the system is devised to ensure they are given fair representation.

The latest controversy occured when South Africa's squad for Bangladesh (a minor tour but one that preceeded a MAJOR tour to India) was revealed and a certain individual wanted to include 2 colored players instead of the chosen white players. The coach got his wish and the two colored players weren't added. Ah! But there was another turn in store. In announcing the squad for India, a colored player (Langeveldt) was chosen over a (much favored by coach) white player Andre Nel...