Selection chief defends Ryan Rickelton call-up as Proteas miss transformation target

Selection convenor Patrick Moroney has explained Ryan Rickelton’s inclusion in the Proteas squad for the ICC T20 World Cup as a “cricket decision” after top-order batter Tony de Zorzi was ruled out due to fitness concerns.

According to Cricket SA’s press release this week, De Zorzi had not made "progress as expected" on his injured hamstring, and as a result, Rickelton was included along with Tristan Stubbs, who replaced another injured player, Donovan Ferreira.

But this now leaves the Proteas with only five black players in their 15-man squad, which is one less than the stipulated target under CSA’s transformation targets.

Independent Media understands that De Zorzi’s initial T20 World Cup selection had been influenced by these guidelines and that the CSA Board had to rubber-stamp Rickelton and Stubbs’ call-ups for the preceding West Indies T20I series and T20 World Cup.

Rickelton’s MI Cape Town teammate Reeza Hendricks would arguably be the only possible black candidate after the right-hander struck 249 runs at an average of 49.80 at a strike rate of 123.26 in the Betway SA20. Rickelton, however, amassed 337 runs at an average of 42.12 at a 156.01 strike rate, which tilted the selection in his favour.

"When we did the replacement with Tony injured, we needed to make the best possible cricketing decision, and that, unfortunately, was not highlighted by any other player of colour," Moroney exclusively told Independent Media.

"That's why we leant on Rickelton to come into the squad. We needed to pick the best possible team to go to the World Cup."

Moroney, though, stressed that the Proteas remain committed to CSA’s transformation targets in squads to best reflect the demographics of the country. "We're in line with the government when it comes to EPGs, as all other sporting codes are," Moroney said.

"We try, where possible, to obtain, to include a total nation when it comes to involvement at the highest level. So, that is always an objective for us."

Fellow MI Cape Town batter Jason Smith is now the only black batter remaining in the 15-man squad, which could increase the pressure on him being fielded in the starting XI at the World Cup. Moroney indicated that the final call on the starting XI will always be determined by the conditions on the day.

“Both Tony and Jason gave us flexibility in the batting order. They knew exactly what the roles were that we wanted them to play. And unfortunately, it didn't pan out like that,” he said. “I can't necessarily guarantee (Smith playing) because the final XI that we select, we select on the conditions of the wicket, where we are in the tournament, and how things are progressing.”

The Proteas are set to return to action next week when they face the West Indies in three T20Is in Paarl, Centurion and Johannesburg from January 27 to 31.

The team will then depart for India to compete in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.