ICC Test Ranking 2010

In more shocking developments around Cricket South Africa, the selection panel has been sacked ahead of the team’s tour of India.

A day earlier, Mickey Arthur had stepped down as coach of the national side amidst rumours of rifts with skipper Graeme Smith.

On Wednesday, Mike Prcoter, the chairman of selectors confirmed to a South African radio station that CSA boss Gerald Majola had called him to say that the selection panel’s services were no longer required.

The move is surprising given that South Africa leave for India to play a crucial Test series in a few days’ time.

India are ranked number one in the ICC Test rankings while South Africa are second. The series has been billed as the clash of the world Test champions and will determine who gets to occupy the top slot.

An interim selection panel would be appointed till February 19.

Procter said he was taken by surprise as there had been no word of witch-hunting after a drawn Test series at home against England.

“It came as a huge shock to us all,” Procter said.

“Everyone was told that this was going to be a talk after the series. We were just going to make some presentations. They weren’t going to come after anyone. It wasn’t going to be a witch hunt.

“I think we had too short a time in the business, as selectors we always gave our own thoughts, we never ended up voting on issues, we talked around issues, we enjoyed each others company and I think we were doing pretty well. The time we had was too short but we did introduce some new players,” Procter told a South African news channel.

The selection panel, headed by Procter, included Craig Matthews, Winky Ximiya and Mustapha Khan was appointed in December 2008 and had picked the Proteas side, which had defeated Australia a Test series Down Under.

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