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Speaking exclusively to SABC Sport, Cricket South Africa’s new Selection Convenor, Patrick Moroney has made it clear that his tenure will not be based on racial politics.
Moroney starts his new job on August 1, and will have a tough time navigating that topic with a senior national team that’s failed to reach its own transformation targets in the recent past.
"Ultimately, I would like to think that as time goes by, we would not have to talk about race and balance and team selection in the same sentence. However, it is something we are dealing with.
"We always try to select the best possible players, and the best eleven to be on the field. We're working hard, not only at Protea level, but right down the pipeline to make sure that these kind of discussions don't need to be had in the future," said Moroney.
The difference in that particular era of the Proteas was that there was no selection panel, with the white ball coach Rob Walter picking his own team.
"I had a brief conversation with Shukri, seeing that he is currently occupied with the Zimbabwean series. We have always had the pleasure of working together before, and we have known one another for a very long time so there is no doubt there will be mutual respect for one another's spaces."
Moroney was part of the panel that worked with Mark Boucher, and was headed by Victor Mpitsang until 2023.
"Every environment is different and every coach is different, so a unique approach is taken to every new scenario.
"My philosophy with regard to selection has always been to ask questions. I try to get the coach to think in a broader way to ultimately make the best decision."
Moroney is vastly experienced in selection, going back over two decades, and he has also worked in the national academy, the emerging sides, and was recently involved with the U19 squad, including for last year’s World Cup.
He was chiefly responsible for the selection of future stars like Kwena Maphaka and Lhuan-dre Pretorius.
