South Africa coach Russell Domingo insists that the players picked for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand will be picked on merit. Following last month’s announcement by Cricket South Africa on selection criteria regarding the number of players of colour, Domingo admitted that he hasn’t been set a target by his superiors.
South Africa have officially and unofficially stuck to a policy of around four players of colour in a starting XI but with cricket falling short of the sports ministry’s quota of 60% of players of colour by 5%, CSA were one of the four national federations to be banned from hosting or bidding for major tournaments for slow rate of transformation.
The squad for the New Zealand series includes seven players of colour and to meet the 60% quota, the Proteas will have to field all of them. Already without AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel, who were both ruled out of the series due to injury, any forced selection could be a major issue. But speaking about the issue, Domingo was clear that he had received no instructions.
"There has been nothing officially documented to me at the moment. We will continue to do what we have always done and that is pick our best XI players," Domingo said. "We are fortunate in that it hasn't been an issue for this particular side. If someone says to me Kagiso Rabada is playing because he is black, they can go and jump in the Indian Ocean because he is a world-class player.”
“And if someone says Hashim Amla or JP Duminy or Dane Piedt is playing because of the colour of their skin, they are smoking something. They have proven themselves at domestic cricket and in international cricket. We are just going on business as usual.”
Domingo on the bowling options
While Domingo has indicated that he will field a specialist spinner, Dane Piedt is the only option and also fulfills the requirement, several local media institutions have reported that a deal has been made between CSA and the ministry to play six players of colour with black African players.
"We always want to lean towards playing a spinner. The wicket in Durban over the last five or six years has helped the spinners. Also, for the development of our team, it's important that we give the spinner the opportunity to try and settle into that position," Domingo said.
As far as the fast bowlers are concerned, Domingo indicated who he wants based on reputation.
"Welcoming Dale and Vernon back after a long time with their experience, to go with the excitement of Rabada, is good for us," he said. "We are very glad to have Dale back. He gives the side a lot of confidence and a lot of belief. Also, it puts the opposition under a bit of pressure, knowing that Dale Steyn is in the line-up."
Kyle Abbott is unlikely to start but the fact that the game is in his home ground gives him an advantage of conditions. But the fact that a Test has never been played in Durban at this time of the year means there will be plenty of unknowns.
"For five or six days out, the pitch looks pretty good," the coach said. "They've got to take more time because there's not as much heat as there is in summer, but it looks really good. I am a little bit concerned with the outfield, it doesn't look too good. We also don't know how much the ball is going to swing in the morning, or if the field will be dry when we start in the morning. Those are the things we need to consider.”
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