Gibbs becomes first ``affirmative'' choice (6 Dec 1998)

6 Dec 1998

Gibbs becomes first "affirmative" choice

Trevor Chesterfield

Centurion (South Africa)Ê - With big brother now peering over their collective shoulders, Peter Pollock's national selection panel had their arms twisted enough yesterday to draft Herschelle Gibbs into the South African side to play the West Indies in the second Test starting in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.

Just how Gibbs feels to be the first "affirmative action" or "player of colour" does not come into the equation. But, as a straight choice for Adam Bacher, Gibbs is about as good as any one is right now to pull on a baggy green Protea cap to do honour for his country. After all, he has played seven Tests, although his record is not that great..

Ê Whether he will open the innings is another matter; technically he's good bet as an opener in the limited-overs stuff but betterÊ as a middle-order specialist in the more serious stuff.Ê Otherwise it is the same side when won the firts Test at the Wanderers a week ago.

There was little doubt that Bacher was going to be axed and Gibbs was going to be his replacement. In terms of cricketÊ ability it was as obvious as placing your x on the square for the candidate for whom you want to vote.

In this case Gibbs was straight swap for Bacher, who seemed to be as out of touch with his batting form at the Wanderers in the first test as the ANC sports policy is with the sportsmen they are supposed to represent.

If you hear the plea from the young affirmative action players around South Africa, the new United Cricket Board policy of "real politick" solves nothing and makes their position of total acceptance even harder. But, as did John Vorster in 1968 so has Steve Tshwete 30 years later prescribed over a matter of selection policy.

Hopefully Mr Tshwete and the National Sports Council are more cheerful about selection "players of colour" who feel the stigma is a millstone around their neck. After all, it is the players who have to go and do the job which counts, not the politicians.

ÊÊ So with only one chamge to the side the selectors have left themselves with an interesting list of possibilities

Ê The new UCB directive, issued on Saturday after a day-long normal monthly meeting, affirmed the new stance: a twin-tier national selection panel and a quota system for next seasonâs SuperSport Series and Standard bank League side. All of which could see some interesting juggling.

Under the new directive, the parameters which Dr Ali Bacher, the UCB managing director, said would be put in place as guidelines to select future South Africa teams which will now have to include one or more players of colour, Gibbs earns the "dubious honour" of being the first.

Should the selectors, for reasons of form, illness, injury or any other reasons, not select a side with a colour player, big brother "the super selection panel"Ê or in polite terms the UCB committee of Ray White (president), Percy Sonn (vice-president), Dr Bacher and board exco member Gerald MajolaÊ will suggest a rethink.

This means the selectors may, or may not, be directed by the committee to include a player or players of colour in the national side. In essence the side would be referred back to the selection panel with "colour selection" instructions.

Ê There was no policy statement about the South African A side which was to have been announced as well yesterday. It now appears the selectors are to name that side, to play the West Indies in Pietermaritzburg from December 19, along with the team for the third test at Kingsmead, in Port Elizabeth at the end of the second test next Monday. No doubt the A Team selection is going to cause a stir when the side is announced.

It is understood that the selectors have been told to select a team which includes six players under the "quota system" policy for sides below the national team.

It has long been suggested that the UCB would implement clear guidelines to the provinces for a policy of "quota" selection for A Section four-day and limited-overs games. Should a province feel they do not have "players of colour" up to standard they can draw on the players pool which is to be established during the off-season.

Trevor Chesterfield Cricket Writer Pretoria News