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Pollock calls for clear-cut South African selection policy

SYDNEY, Monday (AFP) - South African captain Shaun Pollock called Sunday for a clear-cut selection policy concerning black players in the national cricket team.

The Proteas were shaken last week when South African cricket boss Percy Sonn ruled that Justin Ontong should be selected for the third Sydney Test against Australia.

"I think having a structure in place and everyone knowing and having it out there for everyone to see does make it less difficult because then you know what to expect," Pollock said after Australia's 10-wicket victory to take the series 3-0.

"Everyone knows what's expected, there's no reason to be upset or controversial about any decision that's made."

Pollock said Ontong's inclusion late on the eve of the third Test had not affected his team's on-field performance in the first series clean sweep against Australia in 70 years.

But he did admit the controversy of his country's cricket's policy of selecting more players of colour was "not ideal".

"I'm not going to shy away from that but it doesn't affect your team," Pollock said.

"You walk out that morning, you've got your 11 and that's the 11 you're playing with.

"Obviously, it probably would have been less disruption if it had gone a bit smoothly but that's all in the past, that didn't affect the way we played."

Ontong was brought into the side after the original team selection was overruled by Sonn.

The United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB) has a policy of playing "at least one person of colour" in every Test -- a quota met by the inclusion of Herschelle Gibbs.

But Sonn said the Ontong matter went beyond that to another policy where, if there was an opportunity for a black player to represent South Africa, he should be chosen over an equally qualified non-black candidate.

Pollock said Ontong, who made scores of nine and 32 against Australia, was a good prospect for South African cricket.

"He's got a lot of talent," Pollock said. "He'll take a lot away from this game, a lot of positives for himself.

"I thought he acquitted himself well, especially his second innings score, he really did look the part."

Sonn late Sunday inflamed the Proteas camp by hinting that coach Graham Ford and selector Graeme Pollock should face disciplinary action.

Sonn hinted to a South African newspaper that Ford had failed his contractual obligations in the crushing 3-0 series loss.

"If a coach doesn't see to it that his people perform up to standard there should be an inquiry about that," the United Cricket Board president told the newspaper.

"If that coach is no longer good for the team then obviously he has breached his contract -- our contracts are performance contracts."

The Proteas had never lost a series during Ford's reign until the much-hyped world championship showdown with Steve Waugh's team became a one-sided contest.

Sonn was angry that his Ontong intervention had been leaked to journalists.

"The people who have breached confidence shall be dealt with," Sonn said.

"All our officials, on their election, sign confidentiality contracts. Those who breach them shall be dealt with by the council.

"(The veto) is not something that was supposed to get out to the media.

"We're a family and supposed to look after one another.

"There's nothing wrong with having a disagreement in a family -- but you don't harm yourself by telling the opposition you are having spats."

Sonn also saved a verbal punch for former players Pat Symcox, Fanie de Villiers and Ray Jennings, who criticised his selection intervention.

"They are people without perspective who do not think before they spout," Sonn said.

"I don't think they are doing anything good for South African cricket, nor do I think they have South African cricket at heart."

Sonn also tried to clarify his remarks about disgraced former captain Hansie Cronje, insisting he wasn't claiming that Cronje was about to have a life ban lifted.

"When I was questioned on radio I said that he's a South African, he's a UCB child who went off the rails," Sonn said.

"We can't say, 'You're damned forever'.

"If he comes to us and he's rehabilitated and he makes an application to come and do something we must have a decent look into it."

Sonn has been told by the UCB to explain his comments.

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