AB de Villiers threatened to leave South African team on India tour in 2015 if batsman Khaya Zondo was selected: Reports
The ugly concept of racism has unfortunately been in South African Cricket for many years now. People of coloured complexion have often been subjected to racial discrimination over the years. Some of them have decided to open up about such terrible incidents, one of which has shockingly involved South African Cricketing superstar AB de Villiers.
A News 24 report yesterday claimed that de Villers threatened to walk out of the South African national team during the 2015 ODI series in India if Dophins batsman Khaya Zondo was selected. The South African news outlet quoted former Cricket South Africa (CSA) President Norman Arendse’s report into the incident, saying that Zondo’s name had been on the team sheet on the night before the 5th ODI in Mumbai, and that his removal from the XI hours before what would have been his debut was unfair and contrary to the CSA selection policy.
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South African opener Dean Elgar was flown in and played in the XI in place of the injured JP Duminy during this series instead of Zondo, who had been an original part of the ODI squad, had been left out of the XI.
Before this call-up, Elgar had played just five ODIs and had not been considered for the previous 70 matches in the format.
After the 2015 tour to India, a group of cricketers calling themselves ‘Black Players in Unity’ had written a letter to the South African cricket board highlighting Zondo’s role in the 2015 series. They argued that black cricketers were being taken into the squad to adhere to South Africa’s racial transformation policy but that they were being seen as ‘water carriers’.
Former South African Cricketer Ashwell Prince also addressed the issue on Twitter, further explaining the mistreatment of Zondo. Here is the entire thread:
When we brought this to the attention of the leadership at lunch, we were told, “ah it’s only some people in the crowd, not the majority, let’s get back out there.” 2007 WC semifinal 60/6 absolutely blown away by Aus, who’s to blame, TRANSFORMATION. Absolutely 0 ownership!!!
— Ashwell Prince (@ashyp_5) July 10, 2020
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After the 2015 tour to India, a group of cricketers calling themselves ‘Black Players in Unity’ had written a letter to the South African cricket board highlighting Zondo’s role in the 2015 series. They argued that black cricketers were being taken into the squad to adhere to South Africa’s racial transformation policy but that they were being seen as ‘water carriers’.
Norman Arendse, a former CSA president and a legal advocate, had been made convener of a task team to address these grievances in 2016.