The Future of South African Cricket...

[John]

Yes in most circumstances I agree it should be on merit. But not all circumstances. And I think for the long term future of SA cricket it is not a bad idea to have quotas for a while.
Merit is never an absolute to be applied in all situations. If you think everyone gets where they are by merit alone you are living a delusion.

[Streeky242]

As I began this thread, I should also add that I was fortunate enough to play with Soweto C.C. in the J'Burg league along with the late Khaya Majola, brother of Gerald. In my time with Soweto they were many young black players who with little playing experience proved to be fantastic players. But it all takes time, to have said that in ten years, the majority of the Test team would be black is a bit optimistic as only a handful have played in the past ten years. It may happen but to rush this process and alienate others like Pietersen would be a mistake. Pietersen should be playing for S.A. and if he was, England would have been beatan 7-0.
Someone else in this thread, said that South Africa could end up like Zimbabwe, but this will not happen as S.A. cricket has a solid structure, however it is a shame that Heath Streak is probably sitting drinking a cool Castle Lager when he should be preparing for the tour of S.A.There are too few Test teams of real quality without making it even less.
If you look at football in S.A. it is played mainly by the black population, and there is no problem. Let it take it's course and encourage, equally, all races to play. There will no doubt one day be a black or Asian captain of S.A. but why rush.
Maybe Gerald Majola was mis-quoted...

[John]

I think Pietersen reaction shouldn't just be seen in rejecting the quota system he his rejecting something wider. He doesn't like where SA is going. The quota system is a bit of a red herring in this.
There are lots of ordinary white players who have played Dippenar, Boye so its not if Pietersen wasn't going to get a chance.
Whats the rush ? Well why shouldn't inititatives be taken?
The wider the game is spread the better.

[Paoli]

True that Johnny and Streeky242. Not everything in life is about merit, eg my 500th post which happens to be this one!!!!! Think about it, Saffers need a few promising black players (sit down Monde Zondeki) to come through. Ntini is class but in 10 years he will be one of two things, retired or a seasoned medium pacer....I suspect the former.

[jot1]

We should have a quota system in South Africa, but I believe it should be concentrated in the cricket acadamies at school level. The majority of black South Africans are very poor and if they can install a quota system where blacks who cannot afford to attend the acadamies, are sponsored or given scholaships, I'm sure no one will waste money sending untalented players there. Then when they reach national and international level, the quota system will not matter as it will then be the most talented players in the side regardless of colour. As the system is now, only the few blacks who have been lucky enough to be able to go to these places, are getting anywhere and so as to encourage more black players to the game, they are being boosted into the national side before they are quite ready. I believe it is harming some very talented black players as it's too much pressure too soon. I, for one, do not care what the skin colour of my countries team is. I shout for the bafana bafana just as loudly as for the proteas and the springboks. I believe people like Majola have the best interests of the country as a whole, at heart and not just the blacks. Incidently, I am caucasian.

[John]

Apparently there have been a lot of complaints about Arsnee Wenger of Aresnal football club for not picking a single British player in his squad the other night.
Arsnee reply would be I am just picking on merit. It seems a number of people don't see it that way and don't agree.

[bevo]

i recon ntin in ten years could be doing the stuff we see mcgrath do , perfect line and length

[Paoli]

Ntini will be 37 in 10 years time!!

[Paoli]

Hang on a minute though. I am sure that if Gauteng or Border or whoever (yes i know the circumstances are much different) were to field an international side, South Africans will be unhappy because locals aren't given a go.

Wenger doesn't have to choose Englishmen but it is for the national side. I dont think Wengers squad and quota system are alike

[John]

The point I was making was you cannot be absolutist about merit and say it is a absolute truth.
Most of the time it is right to choose on merit but not in every circumstance. Conditions may vary as in my opinion they do in SA.