In a dramatic twist of events Cricket SA have docked the Warriors log points for not adhering to the governing body's transformation policy with the Dolphins now set to host the Cricket SA 1-Day Cup Qualifier against the Titans at Kingsmead on Wednesday.
Despite Cricket SA confirming the Titans and Warriors in a press release on Sunday evening as the two sides to meet in the qualifier at Centurion after the last round of fixtures, there has now been a change with the Warriors being docked points gained in their clash against the Dolphins at Kingsmead on February 16.
Under Cricket SA’s transformation regulations related to all Men’s domestic cricket, teams are stipulated to field six players of colour which needs to include a mandatory of three Black African players in each game.
The Warriors fielded six players of colour - Diego Rosier, Sinethemba Qeshile, Senuran Muthusamy, Andile Mokgakane, Jason Raubenheimer and Junaid Dawood - but only two Black Africans in Qeshile and Mokgakane.
After a month-long process, Independent Media understands that Cricket SA have investigated the matter over the course of the last month and ruled that the Warriors would be docked the five points - including the bonus point - gained in the match after beating the Dolphins by 126 runs.
The Dolphins would therefore be awarded the four points for the victory, which lifted them up to 23 points and in second place behind Boland Rocks (25), who will host Sunday’s final at Boland Park.
The Warriors slipped down to 16 points and out of the playoff spots. The Titans remain on 21 points and therefore finish third and will instead travel to Durban instead of hosting the playoff at Centurion.
Dolphins chief executive Heinrich Strydom has confirmed to Independent Media that they will be hosting the qualifier on Wednesday at Kingsmead.
“Basically, the game that we played against the Warriors, the first game, they did not adhere to the transformation requirements,” Strydom said.
“CSA went through a process and then basically confirmed that they will lose their points from the game and we get points from that game.”
The Dolphins boss stressed that it was not his union that lodged a complaint with Cricket SA, but that the governing body had noticed the Warriors’ indiscretion.
“No, we didn't even bring it to their attention. It was CSA who picked it up,” Strydom said.
“I mean obviously we would have loved it to be done earlier because nobody quite knew what was happening.
“I mean, I don't know, it took quite a long time. I mean almost a month because it was the 16th of February.
“I've just spoken to to the Warriors guys. Like I said, we didn't even, I didn't even pick it up to be totally honest. CSA phoned us the next morning to say that they're aware of it and they are looking into the matter.
“And then obviously, I mean, plain and simple, from my point of view is, I mean, if the one had broken the rules, then the other one is going to break the rules as well.”
Independent Media has contacted both CSA and Warriors and are still awaiting comment from both parties.