Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes maintained that the chaos within the Cricket South Africa (CSA) has affected the team’s results to a great extent apart from admitted the fact that racism is still part of his country and it has left him nothing but eventually sad.
“The same mistakes are being made and there is not much accountability. It saddens me…it does impact on field performance. Even though we have some great players, we have been lacking consistency in performance because of inconsistency off the field,” PTI quoted Rhodes as saying.
Amid the racism allegations, South African team comprised of 32 players — had participated in culture camp held in August, this year. Pertinently, the campaign focused on unity and respect apart from adaptability and resilience in the team.
However, with Graeme Smith serving as the Director of Cricket at CSA, many believe that things would turn better for South Africa in the near future despite him being at the recieving end.
While reminiscing about 2014, Rhodes maintained that Smith had faced disparagement, however, Graeme Smith was the skipper of the team which partook in the first-ever culture camp.
“Graeme Smith has got a lot of disparagement of late but he was the captain of the team that had the first-ever team culture camp and came up with the ‘Protea Fire’,” Rhodes said.
The administration is in such chaos: Jonty Rhodes
Recently, Smith had received death threats for throwing support behind Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement which made an impact across the world after handcuffed George Floyd was pinned to the ground by a white police officer while kneeling on his neck. The 46-year-old African-American Floyd passed away on May 25.
Besides, Boeta Dippenaar, Pat Symcox had criticised young Proteas bowler Lungi Ngidi for giving thumbs up to BLM movement. The former players believe that everyone’s lives matter in this world.
Moreover, the Proteas board had also faced accusations of racial discrimination from its national players including Makhaya Ntini and Ashwell Prince.
The existing issues within the administration have further left a void in South Africa’s ecosystem. Besides, the CSA had monetary issues.
The veteran cricketer personally feels that the chaos within administration should end in a bid to improve things within the system which is need of the hour. He believes it is very unfortunate to see administration failing miserably despite 30 players offering to work for the betterment of cricket in the country.
“The sad thing for me is that even though top 30 players in the country want to work together for the game, the administration is in such chaos that unfortunately, it does have an impact on things (on the field),” Rhodes added.
White privilege continues: Jonty Rhodes
In August 2020, President Chris Nenzani has put down his papers since 2013. However, during Nenzani’s reign allegations of corruption were levelled against the administration.
“This white privilege still extends and carries on generation after generation; it is difficult for young black children coming up in a disadvantaged community to have a better life than their parents just because of lack of facilities. There is so much corruption,” Jonty Rhodes said.
Rhodes, who is known for setting a high-standard on the field – is concurrently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to serve as a chief coach for the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in the IPL 2020.