EDITORIAL | Proteas women have shown what unity can achieve. CSA take note

Cricket SA has frequently been in the news for all the wrong reasons. It has been at the centre of a depressing tale of maladministration, sponsors stepping away and complaints of racial misconduct against both national coach Mark Boucher and director Graeme Smith. The national men’s team has equally been through its ups and downs, but offering us some hope after bouncing back against Bangladesh on Sunday.

It is quite motivational and inspiring. We have sent messages to the women’s team in support of their journey at the World Cup. So to see them get those positive results is massive. It does motivate us as well.

—  Men's ODI captain Temba Bavuma

Enter the women Proteas team. They have been slaying dragons at the Women’s Cricket World Cup tournament in New Zealand, despite the absence of their captain Dane van Niekerk who has an ankle injury. The only team from Africa, they have been flying our flag high by winning their first four matches. Their biggest victory came last week when the team beat current world champions England. On Tuesday, they tackle Australia, a huge match considering they have never beaten them. “I believe this team will get stronger with each game we play from this point onwards,” said star player Marizanne Kapp, who took five wickets for the first time in her career last week.

Their performance has breathed new life into South African cricket. Win or lose, the women Proteas have reminded us of the resilience of the sport. To quote ODI captain Temba Bavuma: “It is quite motivational and inspiring. We have sent messages to the women’s team in support of their journey at the World Cup. So to see them get those positive results is massive. It does motivate us as well. We revel in their success and we will be looking to follow suit.”

The Women’s Cricket World Cup is also keeping the gender equality doors open. Gone are the days of “man of the match” and “batsman”, replaced by “player of the match” and “batter”.

On Friday, TimesLIVE interviewed the new CEO of CSA, Pholetsi Moseki, who expressed confidence in his ability to steer the organisation to world cricket’s top table again. The former CFO takes over after no fewer than three acting CEOs had been appointed in the past two years. Two CEOs had been dismissed after protracted disciplinary proceedings. He is taking on a huge task, as the CSA malfunctioned so badly that the sports minister had to intervene and send the entire board packing. 

Moseki’s appointment heralds a new era for the sport. He should take some inspiration from the women’s team who are getting stronger with each match. Moseki needs to clean up cricket’s act, and that includes creating an environment where there is no space for racism, discrimination and inequality. He needs to create new hope for the gentlemen's - and ladies' - game.