England win - comprehensively in the end. Good workout for Englnad who were in a bit of trouble at 77-4, but won quite comfortably in the end with 2 overs to spare.
Some interesting things coming out of South African cricket.... only five white players allowed to play in any team on average over a season, i wonder if this could result in many more KP type situations over here - i think almost certainly it will - if you are on the fringe of getting into the SA national team or any other team in SA, then it will be incredibly hard and if you have British or Dutch or German heritage, then it would be better for you to come play your cricket in ENgland - then again, with Brexit, would that mean only British heritage?
Some interesting things coming out of South African cricket.... only five white players allowed to play in any team on average over a season, i wonder if this could result in many more KP type situations over here - i think almost certainly it will - if you are on the fringe of getting into the SA national team or any other team in SA, then it will be incredibly hard and if you have British or Dutch or German heritage, then it would be better for you to come play your cricket in ENgland - then again, with Brexit, would that mean only British heritage?
It does seem extreme, and I really do fear the (continuing) influx of South African whites to English cricket, but when measured against the scale of historical wrongs that are being belatedly (if clumsily) righted, it doesn't seem so bad. Maybe some of these white players would be better off trying to get into the Test side on merit - there's still a place for them! De Villiers and Steyn can't go on forever. Besides, there may not be a need for a quota system in a few years, when the fault-lines of colonialism and apartheid have smoothed down a little.
Personally, i dont think that two wrongs make a right - but in the sporting arena, everything should be achieved on merit.I'd be pretty pissed off if i was the 6th best SA player, only not to play because an inferior player plays simply because of his colour.
That argument is predicated on the 6 best players all being white, which isn't, to be fair, quite the case. SA has a lot of issues of privilege - a lot of the white players who make it to the highest level have received the best coaching throughout their childhood - something often denied young black players. This quota system is an attempt to change the culture from the ground up. It is clumsy, agreed, but it's got its heart in the right place.
As it is calculated on an average basis, there is a real likelihood of some non white players just being brought it for the less essential games
S Africa come on tour to England - normal team A couple of ODIs in Ireland - fill it with non white players Dead rubber in 5 match ODI series against Australia - fill it with non white players etc
Of the current squad playing against NZ, of the 15, 8 are white...Van Zyl,Abbott,Morris,Steyn,Du Plessis,De Kock,Cook,ELgar...so, the likes of ABDV,Morkel,Miller i assume are either injured or rested. The remaining 7 are Amla,Bavuma,Duminy,Parnell,Philander,Piedt and Rabada.
I would expect, given a fully fit side, this would likely be the lineup on merit.... Edgar,Amla,ABDV,Du Plessis,Duminy,De Kock,Philander,Morris,Morkel,Steyn,Piedt - so, 7 whites, 4 non-whites.
Comments
Now, if it wasnt Pakistan..........
10.30 start.
Pak win toss and will bowl first.
Hales was out caught.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/southafrica/content/story/1053999.html
Root b Hassan 9
92-3
S Africa come on tour to England - normal team
A couple of ODIs in Ireland - fill it with non white players
Dead rubber in 5 match ODI series against Australia - fill it with non white players etc
I would expect, given a fully fit side, this would likely be the lineup on merit....
Edgar,Amla,ABDV,Du Plessis,Duminy,De Kock,Philander,Morris,Morkel,Steyn,Piedt - so, 7 whites, 4 non-whites.
If the quota was set at 5, it'd make more sense, sure, given the current personnel.
Just know that Ben Stokes is gonna get out to an injudicious shot soon