Much Ado About Nothing?

Well done to the Dolphins on winning another trophy. It’s been a great season for Dale Benkenstein and his team as well as his coaching staff. Towin all three major trophies up for grabs really takes some effort.

I was particularly pleased with Benkenstein’s personal performance as it highlighted the fact that this guy has been very unfortunate to not havefeatured in at least the squad for the Proteas.

Another player, who certainly laid to rest any myths about his batting, was Martin vanJaarsveld. Jonty Rhodes ended a wonderful season with probably the best first class century of his career.Steve Elworthy also made his non-selection against Australia look like a joke.

Even though the Titans never won the title, I think they deserved to be right up there in the mix. They look awell-drilled outfit and can take a lot out of the season that will help them inthe time to come.

The planned indaba (meeting) on cricket scheduled for the 23 April will be the talkin cricket circles for the next week.With Kepler Wessels pulling out and Graeme Pollock rumoured to not be in attendance, thecredibility of the meeting has been put in jeopardy.

I think that the UCB, and Majola in particular, need to be commended on their efforts to get a view from outsidethe UCB offices.While many will say that the meeting is a way to get critics and detractors to buy into their thought process, if handled well it canproduce at least some way to move forward.

The biggest criticism that I’ve heard is of the people who were not invited to attend. A good example is that if it is about cricket and theissues that have come to the fore just lately, why isn’t the director of cricketoperations invited?

Brian Bassons’ name is not on the list -- and he is the South African representative on the world body that discusses cricket issues. Either he is not able to make a contribution or someone thinks hedoesn't deserve to be there.

Communication has been a problem that has been continually highlighted -- why is thedirector of communications not going to be there?

This meeting can never discuss issues that exist in South African cricket with role players like the CEO’s from everyunion there, for they are really the people controlling cricket in every centre. The same goes for theprovincial coaches who ensure the national team is provided with players of the rightcaliber to compete.

Each facet of cricket in South Africa is interlinked and no one department is an island. However, the World Cup campaign is a separate project and is in all probability, unlikely to beaffected by any changes that may arise in the nearby future.

This is surely the single reason why the meeting should be held. The 2003 World Cup planis what should be on the table for discussion and nothing else.

That being the case, what the hell are half the people going this meeting going to contribute if they have not a clue of what the demands of a WorldCup are from a cricketing point of view? After all, that’s what we are all supposedly there for.

To those poor guys invited who are still players and want to stay in contention, I really feel for you. To speak or not tospeak, must be a huge dilemma. I remember the feeling well and please believe me,very little in life is what it appears to be at the outset.

The India West Indies series could be a winner.

The sardines have left their destination, its time to practice!