Quota row seen behind South Africa squad delay

	Norman Arendse: "My role is to ensure that the CSA transformation policy is complied with" © Getty Images

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has delayed announcing the national squad for the tour to Bangladesh, amid reports of a row over quotas between board president Norman Arendse and the five-man selection committee.

The squad was to be finalised on Tuesday and Arendse attributed the delay to the fitness of Neil McKenzie and Andre Nel, who have injuries to the calf muscle and neck respectively and are to be assessed on Monday. "If two of the players [Neil McKenzie and Andre Nel] selected for Bangladesh are not fit and will undergo fitness tests on Monday, why don't we wait until Monday before we announce the squad," Arendse was quoted by Reuters.

Arendse denied reports that he wanted Herschelle Gibbs and Monde Zondeki, both of whom are coloured, to be included in the squad. "At no stage did I say I'm insisting on Gibbs and Zondeki," Arendse said. "I did not mention their names."

The Guardian reported a heated discussion between Arendse and the selectors after the squad chosen by them contained four coloured players against the seven required by CSA policy, after which Arendse refused to approve the squad.

While not directly touching on that issue, Arendse said: "My role is not to rubber-stamp the squad. My role is to ensure that the CSA transformation policy is complied with. That may seem controversial to some people but it remains the policy of CSA."

However, South Africa coach Mickey Arthur, who is on the selection panel, said he wanted his strongest team on the field in Bangladesh given that it is followed by a three-Test tour of India. "As a coach and a selector I share Norman's determination to push the transformation agenda," Arthur told Reuters. "At the same time, I want to be able to look every player in the eye and tell him: 'I believe you're the best player for this position'."