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bannerSunday, 6 January, 2002, 10:13 GMT
SA coach 'faces axe'
Shaun Pollock and Graham Ford
This is a first Test series for South Africa under Ford
Coach Graham Ford could face the chop after South Africa's 3-0 Test series defeat in Australia, according to a Johannesburg Sunday newspaper.

Australia completed their first whitewash of South Africa for 70 years with a 10-wicket victory in Sydney on Saturday.

"If a coach doesn't see to it that his people perform up to standard, there should be an inquiry about that," the Sunday Times quoted United Cricket Board (UCB) president Percy Sonn as saying.


We're a family and supposed to look after one another
UCB boss Percy Sonn
"If that coach is no longer good for the team then obviously he has breached his contract - our contracts are performance contracts."

The series defeat was Ford's first as coach.

Since taking over from Bob Woolmer in 1999, he has guided South Africa to seven series wins with another drawn and is contracted until after the 2003 World Cup.

Sonn also hinted that selector Graeme Pollock could be punished for revealing on Australian radio that Sonn had vetoed the selection of Jacques Rudolph to play in the third Test in favour of black all-rounder Justin Ontong.

Controversial

The revelation prompted a race row in the Republic, with former players and politicians engaging in a war of words.

"The people who have breached confidence shall be dealt with," said Sonn, although he did not name Pollock.

Percy Sonn
Sonn has courted controversy
"All our officials, on their election, sign confidentiality contracts. Those who breach them shall be dealt with by the (UCB) council."

Sonn was clearly unhappy with Pollock's actions, saying that the circumstances around Ontong's selection were not something that was supposed to get out to the media.

"We're a family and supposed to look after one another," said Sonn.

"There's nothing wrong with having a disagreement in a family - but you don't harm yourself by telling the opposition you are having spats."

Following the Ontong row, this is the third case this week of Sonn being at the centre of controversy.

The board president will return South Africa on Monday to a row over his comments on a possible return for disgraced former captain Hansie Cronje.

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