Johannesburg: Cricket South Africa (CSA) plans to appoint a black selector soon as part of its efforts to transform the sport in the country.
Despite 80 per cent of the population being black, the Proteas have fielded only five black players in the 200 Test matches since South Africa made a comeback to international cricket after decades of isolation because of apartheid.
Under apartheid segregation laws, sport was divided racially, and all international players until then were white only.
Concern about the inclusion of black players has seen controversial quotas being introduced, which were abandoned after poor performances.
But with the government adamant about the transformation in cricket, CSA acting chief executive Jacques Faul is keen to implement the idea.
"We want to transform and reflect the demographics of our country as best as possible," Faul said.
A black African selector is needed to help address representation on all levels, which includes management," Faul added.
Speculation is strong that former South Africa pacer Makhaya Ntini is the frontrunner for the position, having been the longest-serving black cricketer.
The only other South African players who are indigenous African have been Mfuneko Ngam, Monde Zondeki, Thami Tsolekile and Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
Ntini has played in 101 Tests, while the other four have have only 20 between them.
"It is important for us to improve on this statistics. We hope that in the next 200 Tests we will be able to do that," Faul said, adding that Ntini was a role model and needed to be celebrated and acknowledged.
"I don`t think people realise what a big gap Ntini left when he retired from international cricket," Faul said.
The new Black appointee to the selection panel will join Andrew Hudson, Corrie van Zyl, Gary Kirsten, Vincent Barnes and Shafiek Abarahams.
PTI
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