Amla gets in on the act
Cape Town - Former Proteas batsman Daryll Cullinan was disappointed to read Hashim Amla’s comments regarding players of colour.
After Temba Bavuma became the first black African to score a Test century for the Proteas last week, Amla spoke of the difficulties players of colour have when they first represent South Africa.
Amla said after the Newlands Test against England: “Personally, I know the pressure, what players of colour go through when they first come into the set-up - certainly in our country.
“So, it was emotional for a lot of us. I think a lot of us felt that like it was a victory for the Proteas in the sense that the team environment is in a very good space.
“We both have very similar careers - the first time we do play international cricket, everyone doubts you. Either because of the colour of your skin, even though you’ve got the stats to back it up domestically, everybody doubts you for various reasons.”
Cullinan commented on Amla’s remarks via his official Facebook page.
He wrote: “Hashim Amla's opinion sadly disappointing and blinkered. How many have ever played international cricket and at some stage or the other their ability doubted? Don Bradman was dropped after his first test. Jacques Kallis first 7 or 8 test matches had many wondering. Amla was no different. Doubts were about his technique nothing else. He deserved his selection and to suggest he doubted that because of the colour of his skin was his perception, no one else’s. Right now in the SA squad, Stiaan van Zyl's ability is being doubted the most and his first class career statistics beat most. To link this doubt to the colour of one's skin is disappointing coming from a man of Amla's integrity and respect in the game. Right now if you look at opportunities in South African cricket, selections at franchise, first class, academy and junior representative levels, more opportunities are being given to players of colour than ever before. Why do we still hear about the lack of opportunities for players of colour? It's clearly not the case. Stop crying foul guys. Bavuma spoke of the challenges of test cricket and being an inspiration for all young black cricketers. He could so easily have uttered Amla's words and gone down that road, wisely he did not. Amla's opinion will polarise opinion, starting here."
What polarises opinion is race based selections!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
