SA drops the 22nd ranked in the world among test bowlers - for race reasons

Nel discarded as SA quota bites
BBC - Wednesday, 12 March 2008

Andre Nel has been dropped from South Africa's squad for the
Test series in India, which starts in March.

South Africa selection convenor Joubert Strydom said there had been "a
lot of discussion" about the 14-man squad, which includes six non-white
players.

In two changes from the squad selected for Tests in Bangladesh, two
non-white players, fast bowler Charl Langeveldt and spin bowler Robin
Peterson, are in.

Nel and fellow white bowler Johan Botha have both been discarded.

Botha has taken just four wickets in his two Test appearances, but
Nel may feel more unfortunate.

He is ranked 22nd in the world among Test bowlers, while Langeveldt
has not played a Test since January 2008.

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"Targets and transformation was one of the issues we were aware of
when we took on the job as selectors," said Strydom.

"It is a part of South African sport, as it is in politics and economics."

Strydom said he felt the squad, to play three Tests from 26 March,
would provide a stern challenge for the in-form Indians.

The two teams will be battling for the number two place in the official
Test rankings.

Strydom did not comment on individual selections.

There were reports Nel was so angry he had been dropped for the India
tour that he initially threatened to withdraw from the second one-day
international against Bangladesh on Wednesday.

But he eventually played and took 4-27 to earn the man-of-the-match
award.

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Andre Nel celebrates taking his
100th ODI wicket in Bangladesh