I'm just raising this question because somebody else did, so here goes...
I know I'm going to touch a few nerves here and there, but how many South Africans is too many?
From the top of my head, England have had at least 8, foriegn International eligible players represent them at the top level in the past 18 ish months, including Irish born Morgan and Kiwi born, Ben Stokes. That does not include, newly picked, South African born, Stuart Meaker.
If I’m correct in saying it has been over 10 years since, England have fielded a 100% English team (Sorry don’t know how else to put it). The last time they did, Nasser was injured, which meant an English born player replaced him for one match only.
The point I’m trying to make is, would English fans prefer to see English born players represent England and be successful, rather than succeeding with quite a number of foriegn International eligible aswell as the English born? And what are your thoughts on the likes of Imran Tahir, who reprsented Pakistan A, now playing for South Africa?
Anyway, who am I to question, if I were as good as KP, I’d be representing Pakistan.
How Many South Africans is Too Many?
posted on 28/9/11
Agreed Yorkie. The likes of Strauss, Prior etc... You can call them English.
But, for someone like KP, this is his adopted country. Just like Tahir for RSA, though, tbh, that's even worse. All the best to him, hope he does well, but he shouldn't have been allowed to reprsent RSA.
For someone like Khawaja it's different, completely different.
posted on 28/9/11
"For someone like Khawaja it's different, completely different."
Khawaja is the same as Dernbach, Strauss, Prior etc.
IMO, I don't see any problem with any player representing a country of which he is a citizen, although I would like to see cricket adopt a policy whereby, once you've represented a country at senior level in a certain format, you're not allowed to represent another country in the same format.
posted on 28/9/11
Exactly what I was trying to see, Hoggy.
Khawaja moved to Australia when he was 3, grew up in Oz, was educated in Oz, learnt all his cricket skills there etc...
Whereas, KP only learnt how to bat in England and he at first wanted to represent RSA.
posted on 29/9/11
KP only learnt how to bat in England
And that is more important than anything else
posted on 29/9/11
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posted on 29/9/11
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posted on 29/9/11
Another point to this whole discussion (which I add is a fair one) is the fact that England, MORE than any other major cricketing nation is a very mixed race country.
Only yesterday I saw a TV programme listed with the headline "Why does Britain have more mixed race people compared to the rest of Europe". Even I am mixed race!
We are a multi cultural society. My mate works in London and says everyone in his office is either Ozzie or South African.
How many other nations can say that?
I embrace it. I think it is great.
But that should be taken into account when others discuss how many players from other backgrounds, play for England.
posted on 29/9/11
Yorkie, agree. I think it's great that this country is multi-cultural...just in Sport, people prefer English born players to represent their country.
Like in the PL... Fans would prefer, if we had more English players than foreign players, and still be successful. That way we could say to the La Liga fans etc... that the EPL is not the best leauge in the world just because of foreign players.
posted on 29/9/11
It's nice to see that another young SA player from Surrey is on the conveyor belt. Jason Roy in the the winter performance squad.
posted on 29/9/11
Jason Roy is class.