Provincial unions remain concerned about CSA contracting structure

Cricket SA revealed on Tuesday it had introduced a Players of National Interest (PONIs) payment structure to help alleviate some of the financial burden on provincial unions after talks last December regarding the ever-increasing SA A schedule.

The four biggest unions, the Central Gauteng Lions, the Northerns Titans, Western Province and KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins, were particularly aggrieved about losing players to the Proteas and especially the SA A team last summer. In the case of the Titans and WP, both were in danger of relegation to Division 2 at stages of the season, which, had it occurred, would have proved significantly costly and led to the loss of jobs.

Those four unions were hit hardest by call-ups to the Proteas and SA A sides, which played Tests, ODIs, T20 Internationals, Four-Day and One-Day fixtures in Pakistan and India, in the middle of the South African domestic season.

With the Proteas also resting senior players for portions of the trips to the subcontinent, the player depth at the four unions was severely strained, more so than was the case for their four rivals in Division One.

In addition, the unions were also paying a financial burden. One senior provincial official — speaking to TimesLive on condition of anonymity — said his union not only had to continue to pay the salary of the player who was on tour with SA A, but also that of his replacement in the provincial team.

Players not contracted by CSA but called up to play for the Proteas are paid by the national federation.

CSA stated that the 20 players — all from Division One provinces — were identified as part of the national succession pipeline across all formats for international and South Africa A tours.

“The PONI contract does help us, but there is also a question about what happens in the future for a player who is not among the PONI contracts who gets called up for SA A this year,” the provincial official wondered.

Zubayr Hamza, Connor Esterhuizen, Lhu-andre Pretorius, Jordan Hermann and Lesego Senokwane are among the players chosen for PONI deals.

Now CSA has named the national contracted players for the next 12 months, provincial unions will open contract negotiations, with the deadline for completion being May 4.

The Proteas’ selection convenor Patrick Moroney said on Wednesday more clarity regarding the PONI structure will be provided to the provincial unions this week. He also confirmed the SA A team would tour England in May for two Four-Day matches and three One-Dayers. SA A will also face Bangladesh A in August and the England Lions in December, both on home soil.

Moroney also stated that the absence of David Miller, Donovan Ferreira and George Linde from all contracts — national, hybrid and PONI — was because none of the trio were part of the Proteas’ ODI plans.

Miller had been on a hybrid contract, like Linde played at this year’s T20 World Cup. Ferreira had been picked for the World Cup but had to withdraw after fracturing his shoulder.

“Although they haven’t been contracted, it doesn’t exclude them from selection for ODIs,” said Moroney.

The PONI contract does help us, but there is also a question about what happens in the future, for a player who is not among the PONI contracts, who gets called up for SA A this year

—  Provincial official

Miller played the last of his 178 ODIs in the Champions Trophy semi-final against New Zealand in March last year and scored an unbeaten hundred. The 36-year-old has stated consistently in the last few years he assesses his international future on a year-by-year basis.

Neither Linde nor Ferreira has been a regular in the ODI setup. Both only played in Pakistan last year because senior players were being rested for the Indian tour.

Moroney also confirmed Quinton de Kock, who played six ODIs last year and was part of the T20 World Cup squad, had asked not to be considered for a national contract after making his return to the international game. “He is a free agent.”

Seam bowler Ottneil Baartman, all-arounder Corbin Bosch and batters Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis earned their maiden national contracts.

Simon Harmer, who starred in the Tests in Pakistan and India last year, was given a hybrid contract.

Karabo Meso was the only first-time recipient of a national contract among the women’s players.

TimesLIVE