CAPE TOWN, May 17: The United Cricket Board of South Africa have denied claims that the picking of the new selection panel was dogged by racial controversy.

An article which appeared in some of the Afrikaans media suggested that there had been a racial split among the members of the National Cricket Committee over the selection panel.

According to a statement released by the UCBSA this is “totally untrue”.

The article also suggests that there has been a delay in the naming of the selection panel because of a racial divide.

Responding to the allegations UCB CEO Mr Majola said, “This is ridiculous. The committee were unanimous in their recommendation to the General Council and the issue of race did not get mentioned at their meeting.

“The report is untrue and can only be construed as malicious. We will be taking the matter up with the publishers who printed it.”—PPI