Devon Conway has become one of New Zealand’s newest assets in what is becoming an extremely strong Black Caps side following his debut Test double century at Lord’s.
Conway opened for the Kiwis, who have been looking for a partner to stick with the consistent Tom Latham, and he put the visitors in control after scoring a brilliant 200 runs.
While England may not be playing with their strongest squad, a bowling attack that includes James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Mark Wood is still world-class, but they were no match for Conway’s fluent strokes.
What is noteworthy about Conway is that he’s from Johannesburg in South Africa. While this may at first be confusing, most cricket fans would be getting a strong sense of déjà vu when they hear this fact. After all, it’s nothing new.
There are many names currently, and throughout history, who have left the rainbow nation to ply their trade against them. England’s white-ball opener Jason Roy, Australia’s number three Marnus Labuschagne and New Zealand quick Neil Wagner are just a few of many currently playing today.
In the past, England has taken great advantage of wantaway South Africans with players such as superstar Kevin Pietersen and former captains Andrew Strauss and Tony Greig.
It is quite remarkable that, given how many great players listed here and many more besides, South Africa have had as many good players as they’ve had.
Imagine their side ten years ago that had Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, AB De Villiers and Dale Steyn added with Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Strauss. Scary.
While it is great fun imagining this, there are likely many cricket fans wondering why South Africa just cannot seem to hold on to all this talent they have bursting at the seams, pun intended.
A poignant similarity that should be pointed out between all these players mentioned above is their skin colour.
As a result of the downfall of South Africa’s apartheid and fresh start as a rainbow nation, South Africa’s cricket team has a racial quota. The quota in place ensures there are two native Africans and four mixed-race players. This means there can be a maximum of five white players in any one game.
What makes it even more tedious for the white players who potentially aren’t in the side due to the quota is that players who don’t secure a national contract are severely underpaid in relation to their ability.
That is what makes the lure of overseas contracts, particularly in England’s County Championship, very appealing, because they have far greater financial security, and the level of competition is far greater.
A good example of this is Kevin Pietersen, who grew frustrated with the South African system, and due to his father being English, was eligible to play for England.
The other reason is also due to the apartheid. Many white South African families fled the country afterwards for various reasons meaning there were many players, particularly in this generation, who left as children meaning they had no choice in the matter.
Unfortunately for the Proteas, it is very difficult to fix this problem. South Africa is a developing nation and so it would be naïve to think that the financial situation of domestic players will improve drastically.
It is even less likely that the quota will be abolished. Just last year, the side fell one player short of meeting the quota two games in a row in a series against England, which brought such controversy that the country’s president spoke on the matter.
Devon Conway may play a big factor in the upcoming Test Championship final, but in what is a painfully familiar sight for South Africa, he will not be wearing the Proteas badge as they see yet another world-class talent slip through their fingers.
Kalva
Roar Rookie
Good point there...Conway’s first choice was England but he didn’t really succeed there for whatever reason.
Kalva
Roar Rookie
Not according to Trott himself.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Yep, no disagreement there, they haven’t been treated well in many regards. And those remote communities are essentially still in third world conditions, but you either force them to leave and lose connection to their ancestral land and heritage, or you let them stay and have some level of autonomy, as you can’t force a first world western lifestyle on them if they don’t want that. This same scenario also occurs in South Africa too, where you see the blacks still living in third world conditions, where the whites have built first world prosperous cities and towns just miles away!
Micko
Roar Rookie
“Marnus” is more a sign of affection now, not just due to not knowing or/and mangling his name. He was jokingly called “loose bus change” for a few years. :stoked:
moaman
Roar Guru
Mate, I lived and worked in a remote place called Kintore, in 1985. Saw first-hand what contact with the white fella had done to a proud people. Communities would get shunted off their traditional land as soon as any mineral resources were found or weapons needed testing. A few months before I arrived a family-group made contact for the first time. As far as I know, they had never met any other people ever! The difference between that new group and those with longer exposure to White Australia couldn't have been starker. Everyone has heard about The Stolen Generation, but the effects of displacement, alcohol (later, substance-abuse) and racism were just as devastating.
Micko
Roar Rookie
That can be done at the appropriate levels in grassroots sports. Aboriginals probably punch above their weight in the AFL in regards to how many players they produce at the top levels in regards to their population base. And the NRL is heavily reliant not just on NZ talent, but specifically Polynesian talent, which remarkably is at over 40% of the racial heritage of NRL players! :shocked: :thumbup:
Micko
Roar Rookie
Punishing white players based on what their ancestors did isn't "rebalanced" in my opinion moaman.
moaman
Roar Guru
Treat everyone as equals-of course--but how about letting them get their bearings first, after being held back for so long? :thumbup:
Micko
Roar Rookie
Not sure what you're implying moaman, but remote communities are essentially the same families/tribal group that've been in the same area for (probably) thousands of years. Completely different scenario to the capital cities and large regional towns.
moaman
Roar Guru
I don't see it as a "revenge" mission ; more as a method to rebalance the situation, however ham-fisted it might be.
moaman
Roar Guru
Mate, some of the Pasifika names are overloaded with vowels! It can be difficult to get the tongue around them all.
Micko
Roar Rookie
The best way to move forward is to treat everybody as equals, and give them equal opportunities, not some special advantage based on their skin colour. The SA system is purely anti-white. Even south asian heritage players (like Amla) got some special quota entitilement! :sick:
moaman
Roar Guru
"The aboriginals in remote communities are the only ones in my opinion that should be treated differently" Oh don't worry Micko, they were.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Yeah, it's a tricky one for aussies moaman. :stoked: We don't have much experience with exotic afrikaner names. Apparently the NRL guys still mangle all the PI players' names! :silly:
moaman
Roar Guru
Micko, If someone has had their head pushed down into the mud for a century or two, don't you think it is ok if temporary measures are introduced to help that person stand up and dust himself off?
Micko
Roar Rookie
I acknowledge that moaman, but disagree revenge measures need to be put in place in the present. Let's treat everyone the same, regardless of race or skin colour! :thumbup:
moaman
Roar Guru
More than a decade and Aussies are still mangling his surname eh Micko!!! :shocked: :silly: :stoked:
moaman
Roar Guru
Micko, You must not overlook the quota system that prevailed from at least 1948 to 1994. During and before that period guess how many black players represented South Africa? Ben, Conway played at least five seasons of club cricket in England, managed a couple of appearances for Somerset 2nd Eleven ( I believe) who weren't particular about retaining his services..... It just might be that he flourished as a person in NZ and that that translated to cricketing success? There are boatloads of South Africans now living in NZ.....no connection to the quota system.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
If a player is any good in South Africa they wont go to New Zealand thats more the location of last resort. If a South African is eligible to play for England then they are more likely to play for England than South Africa or go to country cricket at least. Devon Conway has played a lot in England at low levels , so he is a late developer who wasnt wanted in England by the look of things . While South Africa produces a lot of high quality cricketers its not a well supported sport economically within the country compared to football and rugby. The only thing keeping the sport going is Indian TV money. The interesting thing would be to find out if the NZ team gets paid more money than SOuth Africa does and NZ gets its money from India as well, so you would assume they pass it on a lot more.
Ben Hann
Roar Rookie
Hi Mountie, I do believe I stated in the article that some players left as children and had no say in the matter...