WP convenor of selectors: You can’t just look at club cricket scores

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Nazeem White.Nazeem White.

Posted By: Editorial May 25, 2022

Nazeem White was Western Province convenor of selectors during South Africa’s 2021-22 domestic season.

White was appointed for one season. He succeeded former convenor of selectors Barney Mohamed.

Whether Western Province extend White’s tenure – or advertise or retain the role – remains in the balance.

“My term is up and I need to think about reapplying or not, if Western Province put the processes out for the position again. If I’m not the convenor of selectors, then I hope whoever is puts a big focus on club cricket,” White told Club Cricket SA.

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‘Club cricket was neglected for a while’

During White’s 2021-22 term, Western Province finished in third-last position in division one of the 4-Day Domestic Series – and fourth in the One Day Cup. Their Challenge campaign ended with a semi-final defeat to Boland.

Claremont Cricket Club’s Daniel Smith, United Cricket Club’s Kieran Kenny, Western Province Cricket Club’s Gavin Kaplan and others debuted at first-class level during White’s tenure.

“Club cricket was neglected for a while. Selectors didn’t go watch club cricket and only seem invested in what was going on with players at professional level,” White told Club Cricket SA.

“I liked to go to club grounds – from the Cape Flats to the northern and southern suburbs – and watch the players.

“Then I could report, properly, about players to [Western Province head coach] Salieg Nackerdien.

“My motto always went on ‘go and see the players’. It was nice to be accepted in the cricket communities and by the coaches. They were happy to see a convenor of selectors at the matches and interested in the club cricketers.

“You can’t just look at scores in club cricket. You need to see how a batsman, say, scored a half-century or how a bowler put together a spell. You need to have spent an hour having watched a player and then be able to say you see something special in him or not.”

Also read – WP convenor of selectors: No club cricketer deserves a salary or stipend

White agrees with Prince

White echoed sentiment expressed by former Western Province head coach Ashwell Prince, who recently reiterated the importance of club cricket.

“Performances in club cricket should matter. Club cricketers need to know that if they keep doing well, their chance will come if they are consistent. Club players need to know they are being looked at and performances are being recognised. Let’s raise the profile of club cricketers,” continued White.

“I believe club cricket is fundamental to the structure of any union or association. We must never, ever, neglect club cricket. It is vitally important that club cricket succeeds for unions to progress.”

Also read – WP convenor of selectors backs Jody Lawrence, Ruben Senekal, Zac Elkin

Scouts at WPCA premier league clubs

White sought the insight of several coaches during the 2021-22 Western Province Cricket Association premier league and first division A campaigns. This was effectively evidenced by the elevation of Kaplan, Smith, Durbanville Cricket Club’s Jody Lawrence and more.

The University of the Western Cape Cricket Club’s Bonga Makaka welcomed a first-class recall and Western Province Cricket Club fast bowler Siya Plaatjie debuted in the One Day Cup during White’s term.

“I had Durbanville Cricket Club coach Manny Senger and Claremont Cricket Club coach Allison Johnson as scouts, of sorts,” concluded White.

“I also spoke to Western Province Cricket Club coach Laurie Ward, Richard Pybus from the University of the Western Cape Cricket Club and others. I picked their brains about players and club cricket.”

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