With Zimbabwe in turmoil and in no shape to compete, South Africa in decline and Kenya going rapidly downhill after their impressive World Cup, it begs the question - Is the future for cricket any bright in the dark continent?
In my opinion, the problem that can be rectified most easily is the one in South Africa. The country really does not need quotas in its selection policy. Its colored cricketers are coming along on their own and having quotas for them, in my opinion probably insults their contributions. Makhaya Ntini, Herchelle Gibbs and a few others are in the South African team purely on merit. Quotas were probably necessary when South Africa returned to the test fold- but i think the need is now passe. Having a team selected on merit at all levels above first class cricket is probably a necessary step to prevent white kids in South Africa from taking up other sports in preference to cricket. This probably will be the single most important step if South Africa has to continue to see the flow of good talent to cricket and if it has to return to being the good team it has been in the last decade.
Zimbabwe is clearly a problem that does not appear to have a solution that the cricket board can address. It is sad that politicians have been allowed to mess with cricket and prevented the world from seeing the likes of Andy Flower any more in the international arena. It is also sad that Kenya has not been able to make any headway after the World Cup. The Odumbe affair and the subsequent players strike is not good news for any country trying to establish a sport.
Can someone living in these countries please comment.
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