LONDON, July 16: Former South Africa chief Dr Ali Bacher believes the decision to make Ashwell Prince the national team's first black captain will mark the end of the quota system and inspire a new generation of players.

Prince, 29, was named to lead the South African team on their forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka after injury forced the withdrawal of Graeme Smith.

“What his appointment indicates is that we are approaching the end of a period in South African cricket where there was affirmative action and quotas, which was necessary,” Bacher told the BBC.

“Ashwell Prince has been picked because he is the best leader of the national team at this particular time.”

Bacher, who masterminded the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, also believes that players like Prince and fast bowler Makhaya Ntini will inspire a new generation of young, South African blacks to make a push into the national team.

“It's very important and will be an inspiration for black men and women in this country,” he said.

“Ashwell has a huge responsibility because his appointment will enhance the support for cricket by the black people in this country.

“I still think at this point in time the game's major achievement has been the success of Makhaya Ntini, a black African who came from the rural villages of the Border area and came to a cricket clinic bare-foot when he was 14.

“A black coach, Raymond Booi, saw him bowl and immediately realised there was huge potential.

“Today, he's known as one of the best fast bowlers in world cricket.”

Bacher is convinced Prince can thrive in Sri Lanka even though the team will be shorn of Smith and pivotal all-rounder Jacques Kallis.

“You watch him play and he's calm and cool under pressure and he did particularly well against the Australians last summer, and you don't get more pressure than that.”—AFP