Proteas Test and ODI captain Temba Bavuma has shared his views on how the controversy surrounding the Warriors’ transformation policy should have been addressed.
In March, the Eastern Cape team, the Warriors, was docked points and fined R100,000 for fielding only two black African players in a match. According to the Cricket South Africa (CSA) transformation policy, each domestic cricket team is required to include at least three black African players in their starting eleven.
Temba Bavuma weighs in on transformation controversy
During their match against the Dolphins in the CSA 1-Day Cup, the Warriors only had two black players in their starting lineup. Bavuma expressed his concerns regarding how CSA managed the situation.
“We can’t now in 2025 discuss whether it should be there in the system,” he said as per IOL.
“In my opinion, it shouldn’t have played out the way it did. It’s sensitive, it’s controversial, and I think the decision-makers have the power to implement it.
“It’s important that it’s done with pure intentions, you know, I think when the intentions are not good it kind of stirs up all the controversy,” said the Proteas captain.
Temba Bavuma admitted that it was difficult to call out CSA’s decision, but felt bad for the Warriors players and how it affected them.
“I can’t really stand here and call out their decisions, but I think it does open up a can of worms.
“I don’t think it’s an indictment of cricket in South Africa. I think with transformation, the easiest thing is always to kind of point to Cricket South Africa.”
“Within the Warriors’ changeroom, and how it affects those players …Your white players, your black players, those type of interactions,” Temba Bavuma added.
“It can negatively affect guys, how guys view each other, how guys view selection, because that’s obviously where it tends to play itself out.
“For us at the top, look, we deal with what we have to deal with, as players, we spend enough time with the coaches to understand that there will be certain things that you have to deal with, fairly or unfairly, as a black player.
“Certain things, sure, they don’t surprise you. You just kind of get on with it, and what you need to do. Like I said, I think there’s better ways to, if we’re trying to send a message, there’s better ways to do that.”
According to Cricket SA, is expected to regain full fitness ahead of the Proteas’ World Test Championship final against Australia.
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