da 888： Gauteng and South African batsman Daryll Cullinan has issued a public apology over his refusal and subsequent withdrawal from the South African team to play against Australia in March this year
da bet sport： Keith Lane11-Nov-2002Gauteng and South African batsman Daryll Cullinan has issued a public apology over his refusal and subsequent withdrawal from the South African team to play against Australia in March this year.At a news conference, called at short notice, at the Wanderers, Cullinan said, “I regret the circumstances and I could have handled the situation better. I’d like to apologise to the team, cricket supporters and the United Cricket Board for bringing the game into disrepute and I’d like to reconfirm my commitment to the game. I would love to serve South African cricket in whatever capacity they deem fit.”Cullinan added that he still wanted to apologise, in person, to the nationalteam and that he would find the right moment to do so.The 35-year-old and veteran of 70 Tests also confirmed he was available forboth Test and one-day sides of the future.In March 2002, Cullinan, recovering from a knee injury and a lack of form,was recalled to the South African side after four successive Test defeats.With Pollock a doubtful starter there were rumblings that he might even takeover the captaincy if Pollock failed a late fitness test.Then, on the eve of the Cape Town Test, Cullinan withdrew from the team and flewback to Johannesburg. United Cricket Board of South Africa, Chief Executive Officer, Gerald Majola announced that Cullinan had withdrawn from the South African team in Cape Town after the UCBSA was unable to meet certain demands made by the player.”Unfortunately, Daryll insisted that we give him nothing less than an ACategory UCB contract until 2003 for him to play in this match instead ofthe Test match fee which is paid to non-contracted players. The UCB policystates that a player can be offered a contract in the middle of the seasonafter he has played two Test matches or six one-day internationals in thatseason. Daryll does not fit those criteria. Daryll also demanded that he begiven that contract until the 2003 Cricket World Cup. Our current playercontracts expire at the end of April and we are not in a position to make anexception for Daryll,” Mr Majola said.After touring the West Indies with the South African Test team the prevoiusyear, Cullinan withdrew from the side ahead of the one-day series and flewto England to take up a contract with Kent. In terms of this contract,Cullinan was not available for South Africa’s two Test matches againstZimbabwe in September and his contract lapsed. At the time, Cullinanindicated that he would be prepared to play for South Africa on amatch-to-match basis.As it turned out, a knee injury cut short Cullinan’s time with Kent, but hewas not fit enough to play against India in November and was not selectedfor the tour to Australia. He captained the South African A team againstAustralia at the end of April, making 86 in the first innings to win himselfhis Test recall.On his return to Johannesburg, Cullinan was suspended from playing anycricket by the Gauteng Cricket Board pending an inquiry into his conduct.This meant that Cullinan missed the SuperSport Shield match against NorthWest at the Wanderers.In May 2002, Cullinan issued the following statement:”I regret, that despite complying with every request made to me by the UCBsince September 2001, including: Submitting to and passing a UCB-sanctioned fitness test with a view tosecuring a contract; Committing myself to play five-day and one-day cricket for South Africauntil the end of the World Cup; Representing and captaining South Africa A;the UCB has refused to offer me a contract and has further failed to provideany reasons for this refusal. I furthermore wish to confirm that I received no indication whatsoever as to what match fees, if any, would be paid to me for my participation in the Newlands Test match.All I required was to be treated in a manner equal to the other seniorplayers.I wish to thank all of you who have supported me and have been just asexcited as I was with my recall.In conclusion, I would like to wish the South African team every success forthe upcoming Test match.”Cullinan’s public apology comes at a very opportune time. With the currenthiccups in the South African middle order, his experience and techniquecould well be what the selectors are looking for. Whether they will take thechance of selecting him is another matter.It is however evident that Cullinan is still determined and committed tocontributing to South African cricket. With the World Cup less than a hundreddays away, he could still feature in the national set-up.
