Lack of transformation halts semi-finals of T20 competition
Only two of the four clubs in the semi-finals, including Kempton Park Cricket Club, complied with the rules
There was disappointment among some in the cricket fraternity on October 15 after the scheduled afternoon semi-finals of the Eastern Cricket Premier T20 Competition, involving Kempton Park Cricket Club, were postponed by Eastern Cricket Union (ECU).
Club chairmen were notified that the semi-finals would “not be played due to the non-compliance of the transformation policy by some of the top four log position teams during the T20 competition”.
Pool B winners Alberton Cricket Club were set to play Pool A runners-up United Cricket Club (Brakpan), while Pool A winners Kempton Park Cricket Club were set to play old rivals and Pool B runners-up Benoni Northerns Cricket Club (BNCC).
While there was displeasure from some quarters, ECU president Gary Corin explained why the union took the decision.
“The ECU T20 Competition, that has been running for the last three weekends, is a Cricket South Africa (CSA) sanctioned event. The winner of the competition goes through to the CSA Community Cup in December and officially represents ECU at that tournament. As such, all teams playing in the Community Cup have to meet CSA’s transformation targets.
“These targets comprise a minimum of two players of colour – one of whom must be black African. The ECU board and I in my capacity as president, made it unequivocally clear to all our stakeholders that we subscribe to these transformation targets and will not send an ECU side that does not comply.
“The director of club cricket [Lewellyn van Dyk] was lenient in allowing traditional clubs the leeway to comply with only 60 per cent (ie three out of five of the matches played in the T20 round-robin stages) of the games played, in order to qualify as a potential winner of the tournament.
“After the final group matches, an executive decision was taken to postpone the semi-finals in order to determine which of the top four sides complies with the transformation targets.
“It has been established that 50 per cent of the teams did, namely (Kempton Park and Alberton). Benoni Northerns and United did not.
“A concession was made that sides that do not comply would be allowed to compete on the understanding that they would not proceed to the Community Cup as CSA will not accommodate these teams in the said competition. Consultation is currently underway with the respective parties to determine a way forward.
“In my capacity as President of ECU, I openly state my disappointment at the reluctance of some clubs to comply while others have found it possible to do so. That being said, I am working with members of the board to determine how we ought to resolve the matter.
“After consultation with our members, the ECU board will take a stand on the matter and will inform all parties in due course. Regardless of the logistics, I can confirm that the ECU will only be represented by a club that has complied with CSA’s transformation targets.”
