Ngam is all for new quota push

THE proposed new cricket quota system has received the thumbs up from ex-cricketers.

Cricket SA (CSA) is to make a decision on October 11 on the enforcement of a new system at provincial cricket which is set to see a minimum of two black African players in the starting XI of each team in domestic competitions. It is not expected to extend to the national team.

If passed, the proposal, tabled at a transformation indaba held last month, will be implemented in the upcoming season, which coincidentally begins on the same day the CSA board will be discussing the matter.

Former players have thrown their weight behind the proposed quota system.

“There’s been talk of this happening for too long, I’m glad it looks like something will now be done” former SA, Western Province and Border batsman Peter Kirsten said yesterday.

“Black batsmen haven’t really come through and maybe emphasis needs to be placed on this. Although by implementing this system two other guys will be losing out, I’m all for it.”

One man who would know about the pros and cons of such a system is former SA fast bowler Mfuneko Ngam who now runs a successful academy at the University of Fort Hare nurturing young black talent.

Ngam was one of the few black African players who made it all the way to the national team after the initial quota system was implemented post-apartheid, before injury cut short his promising career.

“In the past and currently, the rule has always been there, but it just needed to be implemented properly,” he said.

“At the moment, two players are contracted but never play. Now they have to have two on the field, not contracted – that’s good. If you look at last season, there were only two black players who played more than 80%, surely that is a concern.”

Omar Henry, SA’s first non-white player in modern-day cricket indicated that although he backed the idea, there were also psychological aspects which could hinder the performances of “quota” players.

“If you look at the past, there are experiences where such a system worked and didn’t work,” said Henry. “If you remember the Justin Ontong and Jacques Rudolph case – there were issues. How a player is selected has a psychological effect. There are lessons to be learned there.”

The former spinner added: “When a black player is selected, there are always question marks surrounding the selection. I was 40 when I was selected to play for my country and there were plenty of questions – some about my age others about colour. These are things we need to address.”

Kirsten further questioned the domestic franchises structure with suggestions of expanding the number of franchises by allowing unions such as Border (joined with Eastern Province to form the Warriors), Boland (under the Cape Cobras with Western Province) and Griquas (who forms the Knights with Free State) to stand on their own.

Currently there are six franchises – namely Warriors, Cobras, Knights, Lions, Dolphins and Titans. “I really don’t quite understand Cricket SA sometimes,” said Kirsten.

“I’ve always advocated for Border to be a separate franchise. They are missing the point here, because eight sides would be a good number, and this would create opportunities for them to nurture black talent.

“These players need to play. Border, Boland and Griquas need to be franchises on their own because this is where the bulk of ethnic black talent comes from.”

SA cricketers’ association (Saca) chief executive Tony Irish said yesterday that the association was in continuous discussions with the CSA board with regards to the proposal, but would only comment once a decision has been made.