from supercricket.co.za April 23 2002
UCB boss Gerald Majola and national captain Shaun Pollock said on Tuesday
they were satisfied after the indaba in Johannesburg to brainstorm issues
surrounding the state of cricket - in particular the performance of the national
team after a summer of setbacks against Australia.
The session was attended by over 30 current and former players as well as
selectors and administrators.
According to a UCB press release, the meeting was 'characterized by a healthy
exchange of ideas in a positive and constructive atmosphere'.
UCB chief executive Gerald Majola, who convened the meeting, told delegates that
the aim of the exercise was to "allow for introspection and to begin a
process that would enable the UCB to prepare adequately administratively and on
the field for the World Cup".
"We want a plan in place to win the World Cup and to set up a process that
would take cricket beyond the tournament. We want to make South Africa the
number one side in the world," Mr Majola added.
The workshop decided to ask the UCB General Council to consider the
establishment of a National Cricket Committee to assist the UCB to plan and
strategize in preparation for the World Cup.
The composition of the committee will be determined by the UCB General Council.
Its primary function will be to provide advice on the management of the national
team and to develop a cricketing strategy for the team, with its primary focus
the World Cup.
"It's no easy task to get a focused set of proposals from such a wide
ranging group of individuals. But we are united in our desire to ensure the
World Cup is ours and all those present agreed to do whatever necessary to make
that happen.
We recognize the importance of rallying the nation behind the national team and
hope that we can move forward in unity from now on."
"I was impressed by the openness, the preparedness and the effort which
everyone put in, as well as the fact that they gave so much of their valuable
time to South African cricket," Majola said.
National captain Shaun Pollock described the event as "constructive".
"It was very good," said Pollock before boarding a plane to take up a
position with Warwickshire in the off season.
"A lot of valid points were brought up today. With what was said today we
can move forward in a positive frame of mind."
Asked whether the team, which has been rumored on more than one occasion to be
distinctly discontented at times, would be happier following the meeting,
Pollock replied that "everyone will be happier -- including the team, past
players and management".
Pollock, who attended the afternoon session along with coach Graham Ford and
several senior players, added that everyone was able to offer their ideas.
"But it's not just about identifying problems. It's about coming up with
solutions as well."
Pollock, however, said it would not do the process "justice" to
mention just one or two of the problems discussed at the meeting.
"Our big focus," he said instead, "is the World Cup and we are
very positive about that."
In tribute to Walter Masemula, the Gauteng cricketer who passed away in England
last week, there was a minute's silence at the meeting.