South African national cricket selector Pat Symcox will be asked to explain remarks on Monday after describing the South African bowling attack as the worst in 40 years.
Symcox, a former Test spinner who was made a selector last year following the crushing defeat at the hands of the Australians, made the unflattering remark in the Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Rapport.
On Sunday, national convener of selectors Omar Henry said that he will meet with Symcox to hear his views first hand.
”I haven’t spoken to him yet but I’m not at all surprised (that he made the comment),” added Henry.
”We knew from the outset that Pat wears two hats — a media hat and a selector’s hat.
”When you are in that situation basically anything can happen.”
Apart from selecting a national team that is struggling desperately to qualify for the next round of the World Cup, Symcox works as a television commentator and columnist.
Henry, however, did not dispute the sentiment expressed by Symcox.
”It’s no secret we have a problem with our bowling. He’s entitled to an opinion,” pointed out Henry.
”The question is why did Pat say it and secondly is it a good thing for South African cricket that he did say it?
”As selectors we are always dealing with different opinions and that’s a good thing. What we have to do is to know how best to deal with those differences.”
The selectors, it appears, are at least in agreement over Allan Donald. Henry stated categorically that the out of sorts Donald would play against Canada in East London on Thursday.
Donald was left out of the XI that rode roughshod over Bangladesh in Bloemfontein on Saturday to record a 10-wicket win.
The win kept alive South Africa’s chances of advancing to the Super Sixes but failed to answer any pressing questions regarding their struggling bowling attack. In the build up to the match, Donald had pleaded to be included in the side so as to recapture some form. His view coincided with that of bowling coach Corrie van Zyl who said that, if it was up to him, Donald would definitely have played against Bangladesh.
Van Zyl said that the only way Donald would recapture his form was by gaining match practice. – Sapa