After Arthur’s resignation, CSA sacks selection panel

By Rahul Bajaj
for Cricketain.com

Published: January 28, 2010

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Johannesburg: South African cricket reached new lows when just a day after longtime coach of the national team, Micky Arthur, resigned, South Africa’s selection panel was also sacked by the board. Mike Procter, chairman of selectors, confirmed the news to a local radio station, expressing shock at the happening of the past few days.

Procter confirmed to Talk Radio 702 that Cricket South Africa had fired the entire selection panel, which included Craig Matthews, Winky Ximiya and Mustapha Khan, and an interim one would be appointed to serve until February 19. “It came as a huge shock to us all,” Procter said.

He added that only the board can clarify whether the decision is linked to the transformation issue. “I had a phone call early yesterday evening, Gerald Majola informing me that this selection panel would not be required in future,” Procter told eNews, a South African news channel. “Everyone was told that this was going to be a talk after the series. We were just going to make some presentations. They weren’t going to come after anyone. It wasn’t going to be a witch hunt.”

“I think we had too short a time in the business, as selectors we always gave our own thoughts, we never ended up voting on issues, we talked around issues, we enjoyed each other’s company and I think we were doing pretty well. The time we had was too short but we did introduce some new players,” added Proctor.

An interim selection panel, consisting of CSA Chief Executive Officer Gerald Majola, new interim coach Corrie van Zyl and former skipper Kepler Wessels has been formed. The interim panel will be in place until the CSA Board meeting on February 19, where the national team structures will be finalised.

Meanwhile, Gerald Majola addressed a media conference in East London and said Arthur’s resignation was accepted with “regret”. “It is with much regret that the Board of Directors of Cricket South Africa has accepted Mickey Arthur’s resignation as the Proteas coach. His resignation came through the normal stocktaking process which followed the England home series and against the backdrop of the disappointing results of 2009.”

“As this process unfolded and remedies were sought, Mickey expressed the very honest and humble view that he did not believe that at this stage he could continue as coach of the Proteas,” Majola said in presence of Arthur, captain Greame Smith and Corrie.

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