SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016 SPORTS

South Africa announce racial quotas for national team

CAPE TOWN: (CSA) have put “The test starting XI that played in the recent world-class standards that our players regularly The government has been pushing for more in place racial quotas for the national team across series against contained six players of produce.” black representation in the national teams of popu- all three formats of the game in an effort to colour and two Black Africans, and the ODI starting South Africa are next in action in a one-day lar sports like cricket and rugby still dominated by increase the number of black players in a sport still XI had as many as eight players of colour in their international against Ireland on Sept. 25, before whites who were favoured for selection during dominated by whites. most recent series against the West Indies and meeting in the first of five 50-over match- apartheid rule. CSA have sought an average minimum of six Australia,” CSA President Chris Nenzani said in a es at home on Sept. 30. It banned its national cricket and rugby federa- Black players, of which two must be Black African, statement. CSA have already introduced quotas for the tions from hosting or bidding for international in matches over the season, the organisation “With the targets being measured over the full country’s domestic franchise competitions where tournaments for at least a year in April due to their announced yesterday. season and being cumulative across all three for- teams must field at least six players of colour, failure to increase their representation of black The move will have little immediate impact on mats, our selectors and team management will including three black African players. players. The country has seen greater participation the team as those targets were reached in the have the flexibility to deal with varying circum- However, South Africa’s sports minister Fikile among black players in most sports at junior level recent test series win over New Zealand when the stances. Mbalula has been critical of what he says is the despite the challenge of providing adequate school side was at full-strength bar the absence of injured “This shows very clearly that the targets are very slow rate of change in the country’s major sporting facilities in poorer districts but Mbalula wants to AB de Villiers. attainable and sustainable and we will maintain the codes, bar football. see this reflected at national team level. — Reuters Arthur issues one-day side warning

LEEDS: Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur made it ‘FRUSTRATING’ clear some members of his one-day side were As for late call-up Irfan’s fitness problems in on borrowed time after another defeat by his first match of the tour, Arthur said: “It’s very raised fears the team might not qualify frustrating. automatically for the 2019 World Cup. “There were checks and balances in place England beat Pakistan by four at (regarding Irfan’s fitness). Headingley on Thursday to go 4-0 up in a five- “He was put on standby when we selected match one-day international series. Once our one-day squad, he went to the national England had restricted Pakistan to a modest 247 academy and did his training.” for eight, with only skipper (80) and Arthur, now coaching his third Test side after (57 ) getting beyond 24 for spells in charge of his native South Africa and the tourists in this day/night fixture, it was Australia, added: “I’m finding my way with the always going to take a remarkable display in the one-day team. field to prevent a home win. “I want to give guys opportunities and then Mohammad Irfan rocked England with two we’ll know by the end of the tour who we can early wickets but, much too Arthur’s annoyance, and can’t take forward.” the giant paceman only bowled half of his allot- For the first time this series, Pakistan had a ed 10 overs because of a calf problem. chance of victory when England slumped to 72 Pakistan started this series ninth in the for four at Headingley. International Cricket Council ODI rankings, with But a century stand featuring plenty of pow- only tournament hosts England and the top sev- er-hitting from all-rounder Ben Stokes (69) and en in the standings come the end of September Mickey Arthur -keeper Jonny Bairstow (61) took the next year qualifying automatically for the 2019 match away from Pakistan. World Cup. improve their ranking, with the ICC system also “It’s been an eye-opener for for me, the last The remaining places for the slimmed-down factoring into account the quality of a team’s four games,” said Arthur ahead of Sunday’s 10-team tournament will be decided at a 2018 opposition. series finale in Cardiff. qualifying event in . While a World “When I saw the fixture list, the games aren’t He then made it clear how he envied an Cup without 1992 champions Pakistan remains easy,” said Arthur, whose side have at least quali- England side who, in an encouraging sign for unlikely, it is by no means unthinkable. fied for next year’s Champions Trophy, ‘the mini Pakistan, were a laughing stock in 50-over This is a scenario that will frighten both their World Cup,’ in England. cricket as recently as last year following their legions of loyal fans and ICC chiefs who could “We’ve got two series against West Indies that first-round exit from the 2015 World Cup. see their showpiece tournament deprived of a we have to play well in-West Indies are a decent “England are a phenomenal cricket team, money-spinning match between Pakistan and one-day outfit. power-hitters all the way down,” said Arthur. arch-rivals . “Between them we are sandwiched with an “We haven’t been able to get quick starts PALLEKELE: Sri Lankan cricketer Upul Tharanga plays a shot during a practice ses- “It is what it is,” said Arthur, who only took ODI series in Australia which is incredibly tough,” and clear the ropes. We just don’t have the sion at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele yesterday, ahead of over as Pakistan coach in May. “I hate the phrase, explained Arthur who, in contrast to the team’s players to do that within our group of 15 at the the fifth and final match against Australia. — AFP but we are number nine in the world and we can white-ball form, saw Pakistan rise to the top of moment. see why.” the Test rankings following a 2-2 drawn series “I look at the strikers England have at their Pakistan have a tough schedule as they try to with England earlier in the tour. disposal-it’s unbelievable.” — AFP commits to Bangladesh tour

CARDIFF: Moeen Ali has become the first Bangladesh. England player to confirm unreservedly that But England one-day captain , he will be available for the upcoming tour of who was among a group of players given a Bangladesh. security briefing by Dickason, said Friday he The future of the tour was in the balance had still to make up his mind. after an attack on a Dhaka cafe in July killed 20 Meanwhile wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow — mostly foreign-hostages, with the Islamic told several British newspapers: State group claiming responsibility. “I’ve not made a 100 percent decision but I But all-rounder Ali, speaking in Cardiff yes- know within my mind that I have a lot of faith terday ahead of England’s fifth and final one- in Reggie. I’ve been on a heck of a lot of tours day international against Pakistan in the Welsh with him, he’s known me since I was a young capital on Sunday, said: “If selected, I’ll definite- boy. So I’ve got a lot of faith in him.” Ali said he ly go. had no qualms about anyone taking their time “I’m pretty happy with everything and real- over deciding whether or not to commit to the ly looking forward to it,” the 29-year-old tour. Worcestershire off-spinner and left-handed “It’s really tough (to decide), even for batsman added. “I’ve been there a few times, myself. five or six.” “Everyone’s different, and has their own Following the Dhaka attack, the England views on things-and as a team, you back other and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) sent an inspec- other’s decisions. tion team to Bangladesh led by long-serving “It’s up to the individual. There’s no pres- security chief Reg Dickason. sure on anyone-it’s up to that person and how After he reported back, the ECB said last he feels.” Australia cancelled their tour of month that the tour, which includes three Bangladesh last October for security reasons one-day international and two Test match fix- and then withdrew their side from the Under- tures in October and November, would go 19 World Cup in the country at the start of this ahead as planned. year. England, however, fielded a team in the LEEDS: This file photo taken on September 1, 2016 shows Pakistan’s Mohammad Irfan celebrates after dismissing England’s (not pic- “My view is you’re not safe anywhere these youth tournament. tured) during play in the fourth one-day international (ODI) cricket match between England and Pakistan in Leeds. Irfan has been ruled out of days,” said Ali. Last month International Cricket Council the remainder of the tour of England, the announced yesterday. — AFP “I think you can be anywhere and still not chief executive David Richardson welcomed be safe.” England assistant coach Paul Farbrace, England’s decision to go ahead with their tour who was with the squad when their of Bangladesh by saying: “It is important to the Irfan out of England tour bus came under armed attack in Lahore in global game of cricket that it can be played 2009, has also said he intends to travel to safely in as many countries as possible.” — AFP

CARDIFF: Pakistan fast bowler The PCB statement said: “Irfan ini- Mohammad Irfan has been ruled out tially suffered cramps in his ham- of the remainder of the tour of string in that match (at Headingley) Mahmood wants Pakistan to England, the Pakistan Cricket Board and came off to receive treatment. announced yesterday. “He returned to play and later on The giant 7ft 1in (2.1 metres) Irfan, complained about cramps in his left who was himself only called into the and right calf that prevented him learn their English lessons squad as an injury replacement for bowling further in the match. “He on August 27, will return to Pakistan and will work CARDIFF: Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood has urged his side to fol- young players who can change things around but it will take time.” managed just five legitimate overs in on his fitness in the National Cricket low England’s example as they look to stage a one-day international revival Thursday’s fourth one-day interna- Academy (in Lahore).” of their own. The tourists head into today’s final ODI in Cardiff already 4-0 ‘NEW FACES’ tional against England at Headingley It added: “The team management down in the five-match series and with just a lone Twenty20 international in Mahmood said the transformation in England’s ODI form started when before going off with cramps to the has asked to retain for the Manchester on Wednesday to follow before they leave Britain. Pakistan drew current assistant coach Paul Farbrace first took temporary charge following visible annoyance of coach Mickey T-20I against England on September the preceding four Test series with England 2-2 to rise to number one in the the sacking of Peter Moores after the World Cup. Arthur. 7, 2016. The national selection com- world Test rankings. “When Mooresy left and Farby took over, that’s the time they thought, Pakistan lost the match by four mittee has concurred with this By contrast they are a lowly ninth in the ODI table, with the 1992 champi- ‘we’ve got not nothing to lose, we just need to express ourselves on the field’.” wickets to go 4-0 down in a five- request and the Board has agreed to ons in danger of failing to qualify automatically for the 2019 World Cup in One of the players who has been emblematic of England’s new style of match series. But it might have been name Hasan Ali in place of England. ODI cricket is Mahmood’s Surrey team-mate Jason Roy. Mahmood’s last different had the 34-year-old Irfan, Mohammad Irfan for the T20.” They will return for next year’s Champions Trophy and Mahmood, a veter- appearance for the London-based county was a domestic Twenty20 against who removed openers Jason Roy and Earlier, Pakistan bowling coach an of several seasons in English , hopes they learn quickly from Kent at The Oval in July where opening batsman Roy struck 120 in a 37-run Alex Hales in a return of two for 26 as Azhar Mahmood, speaking to their recent defeats. win. “They (England) have got players like Jason Roy-he can change the England slumped to 72 for four, reporters in Cardiff on Saturday “It’s been a disappointing time for us,” Mahmood, who saw Pakistan con- game in no time — (Eoin) Morgan himself, ,” said Mahmood. stayed on the field in what was his before Irfan was ruled out of the cede a world record total of 444 for three in the third ODI at Trent Bridge, told “They’ve got a good unit of young players who understand the game and only match of the tour. The towering tour, said: “Definitely Mickey was reporters in Cardiff on Saturday. can play big shots and rotate the strike really well,” the 41-year-old former left-armer, who conceded three unhappy (to see Irfan go off) and as “The way we bowled at Nottingham wasn’t good enough. “We are going Pakistan all-rounder added. wides, also received two official warn- bowling coach I was unhappy as to make mistakes. As long as we learn from them, we hope we can turn the “Where we are lacking as a batting unit we are not rotating the strike and ings from the umpires for running on well. tables around.” we don’t have the guys who can clear the ropes. “We need to find those guys the pitch. Fellow paceman Hasan Ali, “We had a chance to win that That is what England have done following their embarrassing first-round very quickly if we want to improve in one-day cricket.” set to feature in the fifth and final ODI game (at Headingley) the other day. exit at last year’s 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. “Where As for the stark contrast in Pakistan’s Test and 50-over form, Mahmood in Cardiff on Sunday, has taken Irfan’s If we can get two (more) wickets it England were 18 months ago, they changed the mentality and we have to said: “We’ve got a lot of new faces in the one-day side. “If you see why we place in the Pakistan squad for the will be a different ball game. do the same thing,” Mahmood said. are number one in Test match cricket, we’ve got players who have been lone Twentyt20 international against “Unfortunately, everyone gets “Mindset, a little bit more aggression, a bit more positive cricket, intent. playing for the last five years so it’s a consistency we need to give our one- England at Manchester’s Old Trafford cramp. He is a big guy and his body We need to change this mentality and thinking. Moving forward, we’ve got day guys too.” — AFP on Wednesday-the last match of the is totally different to a normal tour. human.” — AFP