A fresh row is brewing in South Africa following calls by the United Cricket Board that at least 50 per cent of national players for the 2007 World Cricket Cup should be black.
The call was made by UCB CEO Gerald Majola after South Africa thumped a nearly all-black Zimbabwean team in the first one-day international at the Wanderers in Johannesburg last Friday.
Majola said he would like to see seven black people in the national team while rejecting any form of tokenism.
Some former players and current administrators said the call for 50 percent of black players would really mean a "quota" and this would drive many promising young white players out of the country.
"There will be seven black players in the national team on merit by 2007 and I don't think there is a need to play the numbers game," said South African 'A' coach Mickey Arthur.
"I hate it when people start playing with numbers. The danger is that black players who are chosen on merit, will be seen by the public as not being chosen on merit."
Former star batsman Peter Kirsten, who is the elder brother of now retired Gary Kirsten, said he accepted the fact that colour had become a matter of concern in South African sport.
Kirsten, who is now a provincial coach for Boland, said it was a situation that should be accepted as there had already been some positive results before adding "I look forward to the day when we can just continue with the game."
Another former player Hilton Ackerman said he was concerned at the direction in which South African cricket was heading.
"Players should be chosen so that we can win matches and if the team comprises 11 black players, it will be fantastic," he said.
Many former cricketers and officials fear that if white players are forced out, then South Africa may reach the same situation that Zimbabwe finds itself in at the moment.
Most of Zimbabwe's white players have been sidelined after they complained of racism. Attempts are, however, being made to get the players back into the team and former captain Heath Streak has already signed a new contract and may return to the team to play against South Africa in the Test series starting next week.
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