Former Legendary South African cricketer Graeme Pollock has expressed concern on the government-imposed quota system which prohibits the South African team management from playing their best XI. Pollock made it pretty clear that the Proteas don’t feel their strongest side which in return affects their performance in the longer run.
As per the rules of the quota system imposed by the national government, the demographics of the playing XI shall be such that six coloured players have to be fielded and with that two players must be Black Africans. Pollock expressed that due to the transformational policy the performances of the team has taken a downward slide.
“The major thing is the problem with the politics and interference with the selection of players. It’s affecting the performance of the side – they don’t put the 11 best players on the field”, Pollock said during a meeting in London.
The legend made it pretty clear that unless and until this system is abolished, South Africa won’t attain the heights of the yester years. The national team have also lost players to Kolpak deals which have jolted them badly.
‘It’s never going to change. As South Africans, we’ve got to accept that South Africa are going to be middle of the road in their future Test cricket. There are so many South Africans playing county cricket. The exchange rate [17 South African Rands to the pound sterling] is a big factor,’ Pollock added.
The Solidarity and the Afriforum have started a case on CSA and the other sporting governing bodies to make sure that the system is abolished.
Meanwhile, the Proteas are all set to fight it out in the 2nd Test against England at Nottingham and it will be a tough ask for the visitors to topple the mighty English side especially after a crushing defeat in the opening Test. The return of captain Faf du Plessis will surely bolster the team’s chances and he will look to provide solidity in the middle order in the absence of some big names.
It was a brilliant 190 from the blade of newly appointed England captain Joe Root which proved to be the difference between the two sides in the opening Test. Moeen Ali also played a vital role with the ball in hand and finished with a 10 wicket haul. But despite the 211-run loss, the Proteas have a lot of positives to take from the match and will hope to turn their fortunes around in the 2nd Test starting in an hour’s time.