A SOUTH AFRICAN CONUNDRUM

It was a Sunday afternoon when I switched on my television set on to watch England and South Africa engrossed in a fascinating battle, a see-saw series of sorts. While Old Trafford was witnessing a remarkable rearguard from the senior duo of Hashim Amla and Captain Faf Du Plessis, the crowd was on the edge of their seat as the pair started to build on after early losses of wickets. At 163-3 with 217 away from the target, it looked as though S. Africa might make England sweat for the victory. While Moeen Ali broke through nipping out Hashim Amla, the fears in the minds of the S. African supporters started to reappear as a fragile batting line-up crumbled in front of a high quality attack. In a space of 76 balls, South Africa not only lost 7 wickets for 39 runs, thereby losing its first series in England in almost two decades, it also put a question mark on their reputation as the best travelers. Although it was only their second series loss on a foreign soil in 11 years, it exposed a deep malaise prevailing in the S. African Cricket which must be dealt  urgently to preserve the reputation of one of the most talented cricketing nations.

The Quota system which established the guidelines that a team of eleven must comprise of at least 6 non-white cricketers has hampered the growth of cricket in country. While it is reasonable that each and every section of the society must be given equal opportunity to represent the country, it seems to be counterproductive in this instance wherein the black and colored players are labeled at Quota Children. The effect of the system are deep, even the franchises have been ordered to include Six players of color (2 Black and 4 of colored skin). South Africa is a complex society, it is a country which has been trying to restructure itself after 150 years of injustice and racial discrimination. It is a country where majority of the national resources were enjoyed by minority whites while large chunk of non-whites suffered years of exploitation and oppression. The Administration adopted an aggressive approach to make reparations for the years of injustice and in doing so have failed to notice the pitfalls of it. While there are opinions both in favor and against the prevalent quota system, it is hampering the growth of cricket by giving players with low averages like JP Duminy (32.85) an opportunity to play 46 test matches . On the other hand, Stephan Cook is made to wait till 33 for a test debut. While Cook was rightly dropped after 11 tests with an average of 33, Temba Bavuma has played 24 tests with a lower average of 31.60. Admittedly, Bavuma is a valiant cricketer and has scored runs in some of the toughest conditions – in Australia, New Zealand and England. However,  questions may be raised as to whether does his overall performance warrant a place in National squad? Has he been presented the opportunity to play these 24 games based on merit or has he simply benefitted from the quota system? While the target will be counted by CSA (Cricket South Africa) after taking into consideration all the matches of the season, players like Hashim Amla, Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir who deserve a spot, are on verge of the last leg of their respective careers. Once they do quit International Cricket, CSA will be confronted with even more challenges.

In 2016-17, 8 players of prominent talent bid adieu to S. African Cricket – Hardus Viljoen (95 matches - 372 wickets @26.66), Simon Harmer (96 matches - 367 @31.50), Stiaan van Zyl (148 Matches - 9073Runs @43.41), David Weise (92 Matches - 4412 Runs @ 34.12 and 263 Wickets @27.57), Kyle Abbott (11 Tests - 39 Wickets @22.71), Rilee Rossouw (36 ODIs - 1239 runs @38.71), Dan Vilas & Robin Peterson took the route of the Kolpak. Among these eight, seven were white players and the only nonwhite player, Robin Peterson had already played 13 years by the time he went Kolpak. One major cause was that the opportunity for the white players has been dwindling and in such circumstances when the future looks bleak, they focus on securing better financial deals for themselves and for their families. Kyle Abbott walked away as he was uncertain as to whether he would be able to play once Dale Steyn returns and Rilee Rossouw departed because he wanted more financial security.

Simon Harmer, despite an impressive Indian tour, was dropped and was replaced by Dan Piedt. Thereafter, he couldn’t become a regular and ended up playing only 5 tests before he decided that it was time to move to new shores in a quest for better opportunities. While the problem with the quota system was evident, the pay and security in Kolpak deals has also lured a lot of these  Cricketers. A mere glance at the above listed players and their caliber is enough to grasp the gravity of the matter where the ace players of the South African team are being lost to countries like England and New Zealand. Even players   like Makhaya Ntini and Pat Symcox are in favor of bringing in more colored players but they are against a fixed target. South Africa always has had the players who have plied their trade successfully in other countries like Robin Smith, Andrew Strauss and Matt Prior. However, the recent years’ mass exodus of talent is something which even a country like South Africa where talented sportsmen are dime a dozen cannot afford.

While S. Africa has many topnotch colored cricketers like Kagiso Rabada, Andile Phelukwayo, Imran Tahir, Evergreen Hashim Amla, Lugu Ngidi and Temba Bavuma, they are in a smaller proportion to the vast population. White people encompass only 9% of the total population of this rainbow nation but they represent almost 90% of the cricketers at the grassroots level. The predominant black people on the other hand are not properly represented in cricket. The chief reason for this phenomena is that in the regions where the black majority reside, football is the prime game. Most white schools majorly have included cricket in their curriculum and that ultimately results in the surge in supply of white cricketers despite them being the minority in the population.

The problem is not just with the mass migration of players with promise but a lack of trust in a system which is choking talent before it can blossom. The problem now not only exists at the national level but the system has started to adversely affect the domestic franchises as well. Even players like Merchant De Lange or Qasim Adams haven’t been given adequate chances with their respective franchises. Many prominent South African journalists have categorically stated that it is in fact right to give chances to the black population which has suffered centuries of discrimination (which has arguably unanimous consensus of everyone). However, the argument that the national team might not be a place where social policies are applied and meritocracy must be given preference is worth considering, even if it is in gradual stages. South Africa's situation presents a unique challenge where many black players renounce the game by the time they reach the professional stage as they have enormous pressure to safeguard their careers economically and support their families. Such talented cricketers must be identified and should be aided to find their feet at domestic franchise level while progressively decreasing the quota. Promoting their talent in this manner will equip them with more confidence and conviction in their own abilities. South Africa has always been a proud sporting nation and the recent hiccups have not done good to its standing. It must attempt to find a solid solution to the problem before  cricketers like Morne Morkel, Faf Du Plessis and even youngsters like Dwaine Pretorius and Chris Morris turn their back on a system which must foster their talent as well.

Cricketers who have left South Africa in recent years:

No.	Name	Reason
1	Kevin Pietersen	Lack of Opportunity
2	Neil Wagner	Opting New Zealand
3	Kyle Abbott	Kolpak
4	Grant Elliot	Opting New Zealand
5	Rilee Rossouw	Kolpak
6	David Wiese	Kolpak
7	Stiaan Van Zyl	Kolpak
8	Dane Vilas	Kolpak
9	Merchant De Lange	Kolpak
10	Simon Harmer	Kolpak
11	Hardus Viljoen	Kolpak