Former South Africa star Jonty Rhodes said too much of inexperience was the reason for his national team's series defeat to India in Kolkata.
"May be there was too much of inexperience," he told reporters in New Delhi reacting to South Africa's eight-wicket defeat.
"The selectors need to get their balance right in the blend of youth and experience," said Rhodes, whose retirement together with that of 'White Lightening' Allan Donald and prolific scorer Gary Kirsten left a void in South African cricket.
However, the 35-year-old from Natal reposed his faith in the present squad and hoped the selectors would not fiddle with it while picking the team for the home series against England.
"This is a rather young and inexperienced squad but it has a lot of talent. We have a big series coming up against England and the selectors should not make sudden changes," he said.
He also favoured the new domestic policy of encouraging non-white players.
"It (the change) has come not just in the cricket field but in every sphere of life. We call it black empowerment. Earlier a young white man was guaranteed a job. But now a lot of white players are leaving saying that they don't have enough opportunities," he said.
Rhodes said equal opportunites should be made available to all players when they are 13-14 years old.
"If they are given the same opportunities at a young age, the talented will come through. Instead, if you suddenly try them in a Test match it might even ruin their confidence," he said.
Rhodes also praised the Indian team for winning the series.
"Indians have always been tough to beat at home but now they have also started winning away from home," he said.
"It is a talented squad with good left-arm fast bowlers. The spinners -- Kumble and Harbhajan -- may win you matches at home but abroad it will be the pacemen who will be the key," Rhodes said.
Rhodes, who singlehandedly brought fielding into spotlight, also lauded Yuvraj Singh and Mohd Kaif for their deeds in the field.
"Yuvraj and Kaif are really good but you need all the eleven players to make a similar effort," he said.
On Sachin Tendulkar's lean patch, Rhodes said "it is because of his own high standards. Everytime he goes out to bat people expect him to score a hundred.
"We had a similar experience with Lance Klusener in one-dayers," he said adding, "I wouldn't want to be a Sachin."
Rhodes also ruled out joining the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore as a fielding coach.
"No plans now as I'm committed to work with my bank. I don't intend to take up any coaching or commentary assignments. I left cricket not because I felt old but to spend more time with my family."
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