STRUGGLE FOR GAME TIME Okuhle Cele of Sunrisers Eastern Cape did not play a single game in the SA20. Picture: Rogan Ward/Sportzpics
Image: Rogan Ward/Sportzpics
It’s no secret that the SA20 is a rip-roaring success, but it’s not quite the same case if you’re a black African player.
There were a total of 10 black African players selected across the six squads in the competition which concluded earlier this month.
In fact, one side - Pretoria Capitals - did not even have one black African on their books at all.
Aside from the trio of Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka and Lutho Sipamla who each featured in nine matches each for their respective teams, most black Africans included in SA20 squads battled for game time.
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Sibonelo Makhanya played just two games for the Joburg Super Kings, Nqaba Peter turned out in one match for the Paarl Royals, Andile Simelane played two matches for Sunrisers Eastern Cape while his teammate Okuhle Cele did not feature in a single outing.
The situation was quite revealing, as the league is helped in its funding by the Indian owners and transformation is obviously not on their agenda.
If Cricket SA (CSA) had more of a say in the matter, there would probably be more black African players involved, but their cannot hope to make such stipulations on a tournament which so heavily determines its annual financial success.
SA20 commissioner and former Proteas captain Graeme Smith, said the selection of players was determined by the teams themselves.
COLD HARD STATS The numbers of black Africans in SA20 squad. Graphic: Michael Sherman
Image: Michael Sherman
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“Cricket South Africa made a decision that once the private investment came in that he league would provide the platform for players, but selection of players would come from the teams themselves,” said Smith.
“We are working with Cricket South Africa, obviously we’re growing the talent pool, creating awareness, building on things.
“Then we launched schools this year. So I would say outside Cricket South Africa, we now are the single biggest investor back into the grassroots programs and we continue to work with them on obviously improving all aspects, including, I guess, the transformation agenda as well.”
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