As the school cricket season draws to a close for 2023, many school cricketers have endured the rigors of the provincial trials, and some have done enough to catch the selectors eye. Yet, when we explore the inclusivity of these selections, a curious question arises:
Where do the majority of provincial players originate—state schools, monastic private schools, or co-ed schools?
Digging into the complex world of cricket selections for provincial and national teams, it becomes apparent that one category of schools faces a steeper climb than the rest. Historically, the lion’s share of male cricket selections has favored private or boys-only schools. Cricketers attending co-ed institutions find their chances limited, and those from private co-ed schools face even greater obstacles in catching the selectors’ attention.
The stats paint a revealing picture. Between 1992 and 2019, a staggering 65% of the 119 players representing South Africa hailed from boys-only schools, with 24 out of 26 national school’s side captains following the same path. Even all the black African cricketers who donned the South African jersey emerged from the boys-only schooling system, whether state-run or private. The legacy of privilege bestowed upon these institutions continues, granting young players access to top-notch training and facilities.
But what about the immensely talented cricketers attending co-ed schools? Do they stand a fair chance? Sadly, history suggests otherwise. South Africa’s national cricketers predominantly hail from fewer than 50 schools, out of a staggering 6,000 high schools nationwide.
What the Big Match Selections Tell Us
A closer look at the table below reveals the disparity. Boys-only schools dominate the numbers, with 273 out of 461 players holding the coveted national cap. The research underscores the harsh reality: selectors seldom, if ever, turn their gaze towards co-ed cricket schools when assembling provincial and national youth teams. The elite boys-only schools remain the primary conveyor belt to cricket’s highest echelons in South Africa.
While there are countless talented cricketers in co-ed institutions, they are often overlooked or denied the opportunity they deserve. Perhaps the co-ed community’s collective voice needs to grow louder in challenging this practice. Thankfully, 2023 holds promise, with several cricket unions looking to address this disparity.
