Caster Semenya Is 18 Years Old

I have not posted anything for a long time, due to reasons that have little baring here, but feel that it is important to air some view on the “scandal” that has engulfed Athletics this week.

This site is a soccer and cricket site and does not touch on any other sports, but some cross overs need to aired and come comments have to be viewed that are outside the normal parameters of the site. This is one.

Caster Semenya, the South African running sensation, has not been treated with fairness or compassion in what is a very testing time for her, and I say her because she is a woman, and the world media must take blame and be shamed. As the headline of this post states – she is 18. She is a child who has had her world shattered because of how she looks, and also because she won. Let there be no doubt that had this girl fell at the qualifying rounds little notice would have been cast on her muscular build and boyish looks, but because she has talent to go with her physic she is being put through hell. Had she been a 100m runner and not a 800m runner there also would not have been much uproar. A look at the starting grid of any women’s 100m race will show all who watch a group of women with muscles and bodies that many males would be proud of, and they are proud of them, as well they should be, they are in condition to to what their bodies are best capable of. Yet Caster must be ashamed? The worlds double standards are nothing new, but to have them forced on a child is disgusting.

The young girl from Limpopo has always had to deal with snide comments about her looks but she bravely let her running do the talking. She did just that in the final of the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, winning gold and blowing away the field, filling South African hearts with pride. Berlin – the scene of Hitlers Olympics, where Jesse Owen showed the world that there is more to man than skin colour, should again show the world that the witch hunt being vetted out against this child is not right.

To grow up as a girl, to know that you are a girl, to be teased because of boyish looks and feats, to be a child in that light is not easy. To have the entire world question your gender and demand tests is humiliating. This is not some back yard race but the World Athletics Championships. Do those throwing stones think that a man would pretend to be a woman and not just compete but go out and win and in front of the worlds media hope to get away with it? They should be ashamed at how this situation has be handled. Any doubts about her gender to not come from Semenya, her family, her friends, and all who have known her during her brief 18 year life. For her to have to face this criticism is disgusting and unfair.

Experts will tell you that the deeper you go with gender tests, the more tests you run, the more ambigious the results. No child should be put through this, and certainly not in the public view. A child who should be embarking on the begining of a glittering and successful career could now be forced to retire, and have her life ruined. Should Caster decide never to run again after this defemation for entertainment sake, who would blame her? I hope that when she is cleared she continues to run, continues to win, breaks records and firmly puts all those who doubted her, all those who put her through this nightmare in their places.

South Africa applauds our proud you champion, our girl, and hopes the world will to. If they don’t, well who cares?

Proteas Balance is Just Right

 

South Africa handed out a thrashing to Scotland on Sunday that was as professional as it was destructive. The balance in this South African squad is the best it’s ever been and there showing in the warm up games, and in the real thing yesterday, suggests that they are in with a real chance at ending their World Cup drought.

Some doubters may sneer and point out that it was just Scotland that were beaten yesterday and not one of the bigger teams, but remember that on the opening day England took and, and lost too, just Holland. The shorter the form of the game the better the chances are for the smaller teams to cause an upset. The intensity and professionalism has to be there for the bigger teams if they are to carry momentum forward in the tournament and lay down a marker to those watching. South Africa did just that.

There isn’t a weakness in this South African outfit. The biggest problem they had before the T20 World Cup was where to bat Kallis. That’s more of a luxury than a problem. They’ve opted to open with the all rounder and he’s shown that there is a place for orthodox batting up front, and it doesn’t have to slow down the run rate. The over he savaged by Stander yesterday was pure class and orthodox placement.

The batting line up covers all bases. There are players that can carry an innings, players that can smash the ball out of the park, players that can rebuild if needed and players that can finish. Importantly these roles can be filled by most of the batsman, as AB de Villiers showed yesterday. De Villiers innings of 79 not out from just 34 balls was a master class in T20 batting. He didn’t come out hitting from ball one but played himself in and then let lose with destructive hitting full of style and solid thinking. De Villiers is the form batsman in world cricket right now and has aspirations of being the best batsman in the world. He’s on his way to achieving just that.

The bowling attack is something new to South African cricket fans. For so long South Africa have been accused of having a solid, but one dimensional attack. All right arm fast with little variation. There is no such accusations this time. The opening pair of Steyn and Parnell are a right arm left arm combination that includes pace and swing. They are supported by Kallis and Albie Morkel. If the pitch offers more bounce then Morne Morkel is waiting in the wings. The trump card for South Africa, and this has not been said before in South Africa’s 19 years back in international cricket, are the spin twins of Botha and van der Merwe. Firstly against Australia and now in England they are showing how effective they are in the middle of an innings, both strangling the run rate, and picking up wickets. South Africa’s strength is spin. That’s a sentence most would never have thought they’d see.

The batting and bowling are balanced perfectly and are supported by outstanding fielding. This is probably the most athletic cricket team ever on show. AB de Villiers and Gibbs may be battling it out for the title of world best fielder, but not too far behind are Duminy, van der Merwe, and even on the South African bench Robin Peterson and Justin Ontong are class acts in the field.

The balance in this team is perfect. The brand of cricket they are playing is perfect. The only thing counting against this team is history and their own nerves. It’s about time South Africa jumped off the back of world cup failure and rewrote history. This T20 World Cup in England is a great place to start.

 

pic from cricinfo.com

Bolt’s Olympics

Usain Bolt has done it again. Following up his 100m win, and world record, he completed the Olympic double of gold by adding the 200m title to his growing record, and the new world and Olympic record to go with it. Tomorrow we should be waking up to many sports head lines along the lines of lightning Bolt striking twice.

While the Americans may still feel that these Olympics have been Michael Phelps, with his record 8 gold medals in a single Olympics, and his achievement is remarkable and should not be taken away from him, these games have been Usain Bolts. The Jamaican star became the first sprinter since Carl Lewis in 1984 to win both the 100m and 200m titles and the first ever to win both with new world records.

The prancing and posing before the race were there again, followed by the dancing and more posing after, just as they were on Saturday, but take nothing away from the achievement of this young man, who celebrates his 22nd birthday tomorrow.

We tend to like our superstars humble and grounded, or flawed and eccentric. What Bolt has brought to the sport is showmanship, entertainment and most importantly supreme talent. Track and field, and most other Olympic sports, give little time for anything but the acts of competition themselves. Bolt is putting his own stamp on the sport by infusing his personality into the before and after of his races. He is making sure that people will be coming to see him more than a close race. Just as well because there is no such thing as a close race when Bolt is involved. Just as he did on Saturday in the 100m he absolutely demolished the field in the 200m, his favourite and stronger discipline, leaving the race to unfold in two parts, one between the other runners, competing for silver and bronze and personal bests, and the other between Bolt and the clock. And again he defeated the clock.

American 200m and 400m legend Michael Johnson, who set the previous world record for the 200m at the ‘96 Olympics, had said that he thought the record was beyond Bolt, for now, and that he would beat it in the years to come. Bolt didn’t need to wait. Unlike the 100m, where he slowed down in the last 20m and still beat the world record, Bolt gave his all in this race, not losing stride or slowing down until he had crossed the finish line and claimed the new world record. That probably goes to show how much more he values the 200m, and how seriously he was taking this evening.

What is clear is that Bolt will go faster in the future, in both the 100m and 200m, and while that is a scary prospect for his fellow sprinters, who he makes look far slower then they are, it is an exciting new prospect for sports fans around the world.

Bolt has the potential to be the greatest sprinter of all time, and is well on his way to achieving that, and for us at home, and those in the stadiums, it’s going to be an entertaining watch. Watching greatness has never been as fun.

What A Race!

While not really a rule, but rather a want, this blog focuses on soccer and cricket, my two main passions. The only time I have strayed from this is when I wrote about the epic, and what will be legendary in the future, Wimbledon final between Federer and Nadal. Well after this weekend I have to once again stray from the norm and write about the 100m final at the Olympics, which was without doubt the performance of the year, and many years not just this one, by an individual in sport.

While the opening half of the Olympics belonged to Michael Phelps and his remarkable exploits in the pool, the second half of these Olympics will be Usain Bolts, whether or not he makes it an Olympic double in the 200m.

Bolts performance, and it was a performance in every sense of the word, on Saturday evening left people with jaws dropped, giddy in excitement, screaming with admiration, and silent in awe. In what was described by many as the best line up of 100m runners ever, maybe a exaggeration caught up in the moment, but again, maybe true, Bolt stunned the world and his fellow competitors in taking gold in a new world record time. That he smashed the world record, clocking a time of 9,69 seconds, was not the special moment that will have the athletics and sporting world talking for a long time to come, but how he did it. Bolt effectively slowed down and began celebrating his win, dropping his arms to his side and then thumping his chest over the line, in the last 20 metres of the race. The showman and histrionics aside, the Jamaican sprinter had slowed down for the final 20 metres and still managed to smash the world record! How much faster could he have gone had he carried on at 100% over the full distances? Those who watched and thought about that well be left dumb founded.

While some may see Bolts pre and post race (and mid race this week) posing, priming, pampering and dancing as a sign of arrogance, it is exactly what the Olympics has needed. The pressure on and intensity of the top athletes has taken a bit of drama out of the games. Professionalism is needed to succeed but entertainment will never be forgotten. Those final 20 metres of this final will be the image that many will take from these games. Bolt is young and confident, and on this form he has every right to play up his confidence, so long as those around him take it for what it is – the entertainment and performance of a showman, and not contempt for them or the sport.

The 100 metres has always been tainted with the drug cheat reputation, with three of the past five Olympic 100m champions testing positive for banned substances, and two of the past four world record holders. However Bolt has been tested 6 times this year, including in New York a few months ago when he set a world record of 9,72 and has never failed.

At 21 Bolt has time on his side to go even quicker. Most remarkable is that he is a 200m runner who has only recently taken up the 100m in order to quicken his 200m pace. He hadn’t even planned on running the 100m at the Olympics until a few months ago. More so, his height means he is a slow starter off the blocks, and his technique needs some work, so there is more speed to come from Bolt.

A track star become a world star this weekend and the Olympics got the glamour it had been crying out for. Usain Bolt well not be forgoten

It Looks Likes It’s Berba

 

Double winning Manchester United have been the quietest of the big four in England in the transfer market this summer, spending most of the off and pre season with the Ronaldo/Madrid saga, and not bringing in any first team players as yet.

Arsenal have brought in talented, and potentially great, French midfielder Samir Nasri, one of a handful of “new Zidanes” in French football, Chelsea have added Bosigwa to their defence and Deco to their midfield, and Liverpool have managed to get Spurs to sell them Robbie Keane, forming a potentially devastating strike partnership with Torres.

United have been linked with many big names, as they usually are, with little solid information making it’s way to the public. The need for a striker is the main concern to United fans, with Tevez and Rooney having only the injury prone Saha, and young Campbell, as back up. While many United fans have been discontent with the seemingly slow, or lack of, activity in the transfer market, the season starts in two days and the transfer window is closing in, the reality is that the options are very limited to a team like United.

There are only two types of players that United would look at. The first is in the Arsenal mould, a young player with the potential to be a world beater. This is generally how Arsene Wenger does his transfer business, and what United did last season in bringing in Nani and Anderson. The second type is a player that will improve the squad. As winners of the League and Champions League the United squad is obviously very strong. Players brought in would have to be of a level that is par, to add debt and greater options, or better then those currently in the squad. This means that the pool of players that United would be looking at would be the best players in the world, a very small pool, and most clubs will not sell their best players. So doing business like this is tough, and often involves inflated prices.

United have said that they hope to have a new player in by Friday or Saturday, with the player available to feature in the season opener against Newcastle on Sunday. The two forwards who have been linked heavily this week are Berbatov and Henry.

Henry I think will be a no go. Barcelona have an important Champions League qualifier to night and, although they are playing a team they should beat, will not be taking any chances. Barcelona have spent heavily this pre season after a disappointing last campaign. They need to justify this spending by making sure they don’t miss out on Champions League money. Added to that the pressure of having a new manager and there can be little doubt that their best team will be on show tonight. With Messi at the Olympics Henry is sure to feature. This means he will be cup tied and with the price tag of 20 million pounds being branded about United are not likely to spend that amount on a player who won’t be available for Europe. Henry is also 31 years old and so would not be worth the type of money being talked about. He’s pace, his best weapon, isn’t as fearsome as it was at Arsenal, age does this to a player, and while the Henry that was an Arsenal legend would definitely be welcome at United, that isn’t the player they would be buying.

Which leaves Berbatov. There is no doubting his skill and talent and goal scoring ability. Berbatov the player is worth a lot of money, and a lot is what Spurs want for their hitman. Berbatov the person, at least the person the press is making him out to be, may not be. If it is true that he is sulky and disruptive when he doesn’t get his way, and his way in this case is a move to United, then is that really the type of player the United dressing room needs? Having said that Sir Alex has no doubt done his home work and will be of little doubt that any player he brings in will fit in with the rest of the group and will be mentally strong to compete at United.

After a lot of will he won’t he it seems likely that Berbatov will finally be a Manchester United player this weekend. Ironically, Berbatov says this will be a dream move for him, the forward had a chance to join United two years ago for a third of the price being suggested now, but turned them down for Spurs, thinking Spurs were a team on the up, and United on the decline.

While many United fans will be on the fence about Berbatov, a striker knows the best way to change fans opinion is with goals. If he has a good start to his United career he’ll have the fans behind him before too long.

 

(pic from teamtalk.com)

A Good Week For Spain

This is a soccer and cricket blog and generally that’s all you’ll find here, as that’s about all I write about. But there are always exceptions to every rule and last nights mens Wimbledon final has to be talked about, and becomes the first non soccer or cricket post on this blog.

In what was the longest final in Wimbledon history, almost 5 hours, excluding rain breaks, Rafa Nadal dethroned Roger Federer to become Wimbledon champion for the first time. In so doing he also become the first player to win consecutive French Open and Wimbledon titles since Borg in the early 80’s, the first Spanish winner of Wimbledon mens title in over 40 years, and most remarkably ended Federers 5 year unbeaten run on grass. Roger was going for his 6th consecutive Wimbledon crown, a feat that would give him the record previously held by Borg. It was fitting that it was Nadal who ended the Swiss legends 60 plus game run on grass as it was Federer who had ended Nadal’s 80 plus winning streak on clay.

Nadal shot into a 2 set lead before a rain break halted play for almost an hour. When they returned it was Federer who was stronger winning the 3rd set on a tie break, and then after a another rain interruption, winning the 4th set, also on a tie break, having saved 2 championship points. There was little to separate the two in the deciding set, until Nadal finally broke Federer and served out the match, 9-7 in the final set.

That all too brief summery of the match does little do justify the qualityof the match. This will go down as perhaps the best final ever. The young pretender to the thrown storming to a 2 set lead before the champion claws his way back with a brilliant fight back to level the match. The final set resembled two heavy weight boxers exchanging blow after blow until finally a knockout punch lands.

The match was a contrast in styles with Nadals power and speed up against the style and sophistication of Federersgame. Even while not playing his best, in truth Nadal didn’t let him rather than Roger having an off day. the 5 times defending champion showed tremendous guts and determination in fighting his way back, not giving up his title without a real fight. Both men will no doubt be unable to get out of bed this morning such was the exertion of last nights battle. What was truly remarkable was the way each played the big points. Federer seemed to find an ace whenever he was facing a break point, while Nadal ran down each and every ball before unleashing a winner that had to be seen to believed - time and time again. Indeed the two best shots of the year, one from each player, came in the space of a couple of minutes, when each was staring down the gauntlet.

I don’t think the game has seen someone with the speed, power and energy of Nadal. Throughout the 5 sets he never let up, firing barrage after barrage at Federer. The way he hit his lines and angles was incredible. His shots were all there when called upon and his game plan was clearly thought out and executed. There was hardly a serve from Nadal that didn’t go to Federers back hand. A worthy champion was found last night, and the right man to end Federers remarkable run.

After the French Open final, when Nadal demolished Federer, many began to write off the world number one. After last night they may do so again. To do so would be foolish. Federer is still the most complete player the game has ever seen, and may still go on to prove that he is the best ever. His run had to come to an end at some stage and he was unlucky to run into a player in the form of his life at a time when no one has an answer to the Spanish star. The hard courts at the US Open are also Federers surface so there is every chance he will be back in the final in a few months time. The way Nadal is playing you wouldn’t bet against a Federer/Nadal final there either. I do believe however that Roger will again be in next years Wimbledon final, making it 7 in a row, and he will win it. He is far from over.

For the sport of tennis this can only be a good thing. Federer has a competitor who really can challenge him for the title of worlds best player, and their battles can only popularise the sport that has seen a viewing decline in recent times.

For Nadal, who is a huge soccer fan, this has been a great week for Spain. The Euro 2008 winners now have a Wimbledon champion too. The king of clay rules on the lawns too – for this year.

 

(picture from thetelegraphy.co.uk)

Euro 2008 Semi – Spain v Russia

 

Turkey battled well and can be proud of their effort, last night and throughout the competition, but it is Germany who will meet the winners of tonight’s match, Spain and Russia, on Sunday for the crown.

Spain have been many peoples favourites for the title, in terms of quality in personal, and it terms of form, with the added bonus that they play entertaining football, but Russia must rank as the surprise team of this years competition. While four years ago there is no doubt that Greece were the surprise package, winning the tournament, there will be pleasant smiles that this time the dark hourses who have come good have not employed negative tactics to get their results.

Alot can happen in a few weeks, and this is the case with Russia. They aren’t the same team that was dismantled easily by Spain in their opening group game, losing 4-1 to a David Villa hat trick inspired Spain. Tonight Spain will come up against a well trained unit who will not be overcome by the occasion, who will each know what their role for the team is and will do there best to perform that role. Andrei Arshavin has been the catalystfor the change to Russia’s fortunes. He was suspended for the opening 2 games, but since his return Russia have been the form team of the competition, along with Spain. They way they made Holland, the best team until then, look like an school side at times bares testament to that. Russia pride and self belief puts them up with the Germans, in terms of the whole being greater then the individual. They will have no doubts that they can get past Spain and Germany. Doing it will be harder though.

Spain will look to go better then both Portugal and Holland, who both looked great for 3 matches but then lost the most important one. The only unbeaten team left they will have to remain so to win tonight and on Sunday, with no time left for a bad day, as Russia had against them, and Germany did against Croatia. The Spanish have a feel that this is their year and with Villa scoring the goals, Cassilas making the saves, and a host of midfield talent to choose from, they could very well be right.

The Russians will come at the Spanish more than any team has yet done. There defense will be under threat as it has not been thus far, and Villa and Torres will have to make sure they take the chances that come their way. Spain will have learned a lot from their game against Italy and will look to carry that know how, that feeling that they can compete in tight situations as well as flowing open games, into this game.

Russia will be no push overs and will look to avenge their big loss in the opening round. Arshavin and Villa have been the stars and with both seeming likely to be moving on after this week the world will be watching and keeping tabs and these two in particular. Their dream moves could be made or lost tonight.

This could be the rare competition that sees both semi finals crammed with goals. Lets hope so.

Quick Updates

Sorry for the lack of updates but my computer was killed by a Trojan virus and I’ve been offline until that gets sorted. Hopefully I’ll be back this weekend.

Some quick cricket news regarding South Africa:

Charl Langeveld has taken up a Kolpak contract in England, ruling himself out of representing South Africa, effectively announcing his international retirement. Langeveld recently pulled out of the South African team that toured India, having been chosen ahead of Andre Nel because he is a non white player. Langeveld did not want to be chosen on any other criteria other than merit and would not allow himself to be used as a political pawn to fill a quota position. His stand must be commended and is hopefully the view that all South African cricketers take. He will be a loss to South Africa but will hope that the powers that be at the top of South African cricket take action to ensure that this sort of thing does not happen again, and that non white players do not feel the added pressure that the quota system unfairly places on them. Good luck to Langeveld in England.

Three South African cricketers, Andrew Hall, Justin Kemp and Johan van der Wath have won their appeal to play in for their Englishcounty teams, having initially been barred from doing so for playing in the rebel Indian league. The trio hope that the same action will be taken to allow them to play domestic cricket in South Africa. This may be harder than first thought as rebel players have not been technically banned in South Africa, rather the franchises have come to an agreement not to select any rebel players. 8 South African players have played in the rebel league and they would need one of the franchise teams to break the agreement for them to have any hope of playing domestic cricket in their homeland. A tough situation for all involved.

Players not Pawns

Sport in South Africa is riddled with political interference and legislation. This is an almost unique situation in world sport, with most countries preferring to leave sport on the fields and politics everywhere else. Unfortunately, due to South Africa’s historical past, the inequalities of a disgusting Apartheid regime, have meant that it is not likely that the politicians will leave sport untouched in a quest to speed up the quest for a representative cricket and rugby team, sports that have historically been white sports in South Africa. But is there a place for racial targets, as they are labelled by Cricket South Africa, in the national team?

There is no doubt that if transformation and development of the previously disadvantaged is to successful, in the here and now and future, racial targets will play a part. However these should only be implemented at certain levels. In schools cricket, at club level, and even at franchise level, the politicians can request that a certain number of players in each team should be non white. This will ensure that those with sufficient talent are being given opportunities at playing at a level that will ensure they get experience, exposure, and the playing field to show that they are capable players at that level. By saying that, at Franchise level, 3 or 4 of the starting 11 should be non white, will mean that, in the 6 franchise teams, at least 18 non white players are playing at any given match period. This will ensure that each province will give sufficient time and resources to development, to ensure that they get the best out of the system. In time, hopefully in only a few years, this target can be done away with as the players will be represented by merit. The problem arises with players like Kevin Pieterson who feel that they are being left out for non cricket reasons and so jump ship to another country. These players need to feel that if they are good enough they will play, they need to feel wanted and safe in the environment of South African cricket. Generally the talented players are identified early and are given sufficient playing time within the system. Young white players like AB Devilliers, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn have been identified early and have made it through to national level without being lost to England or another country. The reality is that even with a racial target system the players good enough to play international cricket will still come through. The problem that Pieterson faced is that, when his career started, he was a spin bowler and not a batsman, as he is today. He was behind Pat Symcox and Gulam Bodi in the Natal team, and subsequently left for England. Had he remained there is no doubt that his batting would have seen him emerge as a leading player for Natal, and then for South Africa.

While racial targets are a difficult reality in domestic cricket, the issue is even more murky in respect to international cricket. The use of the term “target” by CSA suggests that there is a number that they strive to achieve but may not inforce. That number, as it stands right now, is 7 non white players in any 15 man squad. Where this issue harms rather than heals the game is in the selection by merit. Players of colour in the South African national team, players like Ntini, Gibbs, Amla, Prince, Langeveld, Philander and Duminy are all in the team because they are good enough to play international cricket. But at teams they are treated like token players. They want to be in the team because they are good enough, which they are, and not because they are not white. When a player like Justin Kemp has a bad run of form there is no question about his worth because he has proved to be a match winner in the past. But when Philander drops a catch in an important T20 World Cup match against India, which South Africa go on to lose and are out of the tournament as a result, he is slated as a quota player. The double standard and indifference to this problem does little for a player at the beginning of his career. If there were no racial targets Philander would still make the team because he is one of the best young players in South Africa and will be a leading player in the future. And when he drops a catch it will be down to bad luck, a lack of concentration, or technique, and his colour will not be an issue. Racial targets at international level are not useful when the baggage that ensues damages a players confidence.

Another problem with racial targets at international level are when players are rushed through to fill a position, or when players are past it but picked because they fill that void. Examples of this are numerous in South African cricket. Justin Ontong was rushed into the South African test team as a young spin bowling all rounder in a match against Australia that should have been Jaques Rudolphs debut. Political interference meant that Ontong was in and Rudolph was out. The public slating that followed did a lot to damage the careers of both players, particularly Ontong who has had sporadic appearances for South Africa since then. His form for his domestic teams has suggested that he is a very talented batsman in all forms of the game, who, had he been better looked after, could have been, and still can be, a leading batsman for the national team. The selectors must ensure that such a debacle is never repeated. Another problem came about in the selection of South Africa’s World Cup 15 earlier in the year. Roger Telemachus travelled to the West Indies but never got a game, or looked like getting a game. The selection seemed purely one based on race. South Africa would have been better suited had a player like Dale Steyn, a lightening fast strike bowler, Johan van der Wath or Albie Morkel, devastating all rounders in the the Lance Klusner mould, had been picked. Instead the selectors felt that they had to meet the target of 7 non white players which upset the squad selection in terms of both the best available players and player options being greater.

In a recent game in Pakistan the selectors decided to include Andre Nel in the starting 11 in place of Charl Langeveld. In order to do this, to replace a non white player with a white player, the selectors had to drop Justin Kemp for JP Duminy, evening out the racial balance of those players coming in and those going out. There is no need for this type of action. JP Duminy is one of the most talented batsman in the country, and has a bright future in the South African team, so long as he is not made into a political pawn by selection issues. He must not be allowed to have his career stalled as Justin Ontongs was.

The main argument for why racial targets should not be used in international cricket is that winning units a country more than a enforced representative team. The Springbok rugby team recently won the Rugby World Cup with only 2 non white players in their 15, a number that the politicians were unhappy with. Yet the entire country got behind the team and were proud of their success and not moaning about racial issues. The cricket team follow that example. A South African squad made up of players such as Albie Morkel, Johan van der Wath, Morne van Wyk and others who missed out on selection for the World Cup because they were competing for 8 and not 15 places, would have had a better chance of winning the World Cup then the team that traveled did. Winning units a country.

South Africa has young talent, young non white talent, coming through, players such as Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Thandi Tshabalala and Yussuf Abdullah. These players must be allowed to progress their careers at a normal healthy level without political interference. They are sportsman, and not political pawns. For the sake of cricket, and the players, politics should be left off the field. South Africa will be better for it.

Offline

Will be offline due to connection problems until Saturday. Will post anything writen untill then on Saturday so check back then please. Thanks