The Proteas: Chokers or Part of a Flawed System?

The South African national cricket team (also known as the “Proteas”) stumbled against India in their second game of the ICC Cricket World Cup but gathered momentum over their next two encounters, before losing against the odds to Pakistan; unless they somehow lose to the UAE, they are through to the knockout stages. Will this team go all the way or will they crack during a tense knockout game and if so why?

Mental strength

A formidable side on paper, expected to cruise into the knockout stage of the tournament, crumbled under pressure against India.  Yes, the team’s mental toughness is something that should be evaluated but even that needs to be taken down to the micro level as not all members of the squad appear to succumb to intense pressure and as a result mental disintegration. Not all members of the squad are chokers.

Team culture or Ethos

Mental toughness is just one of many factors that influence player performance.  The Proteas have an incredible team culture.  This is clearly evident from the success of the #ProteaFire campaign.  A group of players from diverse backgrounds have come together and formed a new culture, one based on respect, acceptance, cohesion and that “never say die” attitude.  The public perception of the Proteas’ team culture seems to be a good one so why do they falter?

Player ability or skill factor

One would think that any player selected to play for his country would have the ability and necessary skill set to do so.  In order to improve as a player one needs to harness those skills against quality opposition.  Cricket South Africa advocated that fewer domestic franchises leads to stronger opposition and would close the gap between the level of domestic and international cricket.  This is great in theory but unfortunately it has not worked out the way it was intended to.  The nucleus of the Protea ODI side has remained constant over a long period and many of these players have been inactive on the South African domestic circuit. These players cannot be identified as products of a flawed system.

So what exactly is wrong with the current domestic system in South Africa?

Fifty-two years of Apartheid has forced authorities to bridge the gap between the have and have nots.  The focus in South African cricket shifted to development of previously disadvantaged individuals.  The quota system was introduced in 1998 and continued for the next nine years. Each team had to field at least four players of colour.  After 2007 the term quota was replaced with the new term, targets.  Targets were set in order to speed up development.  However, unlike quotas they were not mandatory.

Over the next few years authorities became concerned about the small number of black Africans being represented at domestic and international level.  Development shifted again, this time with a strong emphasis on black African cricketers.  Cricket authorities, in another attempt to speed up the development process, introduced a quota of at least one black African per domestic side. On Saturday, Cricket South Africa released the names of players that had been awarded national contracts.  Among those contracts awarded were some rather questionable inclusions.

One such player received a high performance contract.  A high performance contract is given to those players that are likely to turn out for the “A” side on a regular basis. However, this player’s numbers do not reflect those of a man in form.  He is a keeper batsman who often comes in to bat at number six or seven for his domestic franchise and averages 21.8 in List A cricket.  In the recently concluded One Day cup, he scored 99 runs in six innings. Transformation is a vital step in correcting the wrongs and healing the wounds of the past but there needs to be a balance between transformation and development of cricket for all South Africans.

Strengthening the System

In order to improve the quality of cricketers at international level one needs to ensure that the level just below, that being the domestic level, is of a high standard.

Transformation is a necessity in South Africa but this can be very difficult to achieve given the competitive nature of sport.  South Africa has lost an abundance of talent since the inception of transformation.  Families have moved overseas in an attempt to establish a brighter future, one with equal opportunities and as a result many talented youngsters have been lost. Then you have cricketers, the likes of Johnathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen, that were educated in South Africa and worked their way through the system but decided to move overseas.

One option would be to increase the number of domestic franchises in South Africa from six to eight, recruit South African born cricketers plying their trade overseas and recruit a further sixteen international cricketers, allowing two per side. This would allow cricket authorities to retain the quota of at least one black African per side. These youngsters would then get the opportunity to feed off the experience of more seasoned and established cricketers.

A stronger system which includes known international cricketers would entice the public to attend a greater number of games which in turn would create more revenue. The focus needs to be balanced between development and recruitment.  Due to international and other commitments, contracts could vary depending on the availability of individual players. An example of some potential recruits are listed below.  (List A stats only)

All-Rounders

Batsmen

Bowlers

All South African cricket needs is a stronger domestic system with exposure to pressure situations that are a result of intense competition which closes the gap to international cricket.