Hoping for a new era in the country’s cricket administration, former South African administrator and cricketer Dr Ali Bakker said that they need to bring in batsmen for their fast bowling prowess.
“The leadership of the cricket administration in South African cricket has been shameful. Hardly anyone knows about cricket. It’s common sense, and I have from credible authority, that each national body of 14 members was receiving 150,000 to 200,000 rand each year for attending meetings,” Bakker told News18.
“He is gone now. There is hope now. Our Sports Minister has put in place a new framework to govern SA Cricket. It will be headed by two highly respected advocates, Lawson Naidu and Steven Budlander; both passionate about the sport. They don’t bring any baggage. They are top class South Africans. They are in charge and I have spoken to them. Another plus is that Andrew Hudson is also on the new board and he will chair the cricket committee. We have good pacers. It’s the bowlers and the new administration. Our problem will be our batting.”
Bakker hoped that Graeme Smith’s presence would make a difference.
“His story is extraordinary. He is the only Test captain to have led his country in over a hundred Tests (108). He is new to the administration. If he is, like me, here to mentor and mentor senior people. If he gets there, he’ll be fine. If he tries to do everything on his own, he’s going to run into problems. He doesn’t have experience in cricket administration. See, if he’s smart enough to do his own thing. If you can bring some smart people around, that would be great.
“In my opinion, the three best South African bowlers are Neil Adcock, Dale Steyn and Allan Donald. And I would rate Stan as the best of them all. Steyn was quick, bowled late swingers and knew how to reverse swing the ball. And perhaps most importantly, he was a great competitor. He used to bowl as fast at 5 in the evening as he used to bowl at 10 in the morning. And he says Kagiso Rabada will be our best fast bowler, not him.”
Asked why South Africa have not been able to produce world-class batsmen in recent times, Bakker said:
“I can’t answer that question. It’s quite normal to see England bat against India other than Joe Root. We have the same problem. They have Mark Boucher (South Africa’s coach) who has played 147 Tests. He is a tough competitor and mentally tough. He is responsible. De Villiers can turn a two-hour Test match. Smith has a batting average of 49 as an opener.”
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