At the start of South Africa’s campaign at the Cricket World Cup, we were ranked number one coming off 10 excellent games played by the Proteas. But then many questions were asked about our shocking and the one-dimensional bowling attack as we spluttered through the first round and Super 8s and got thrashed in the semis.

The blame must rest on the shoulders of the administrators, the Minister of Sport and the selectors. The national teams have forced quota systems. Why? Surely the best players should be picked, led by the best captain. Then, win or lose, we will all be behind our teams.

We ask ourselves, where to from here? Graeme Smith says we need to find a decent spin attack. Then how does Robin Peterson feel and why was he there, for goodness sake? We cannot blame Peterson for his dismal performance; he was simply playing his best but, simply put, his best is not good enough for this World Cup. Do we have other spinners better than Peterson? Yes, there are a few but the problem with them is political correctness.

Turning to our two strike bowlers, my heroes Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini, why did they perform so far below par? They came off previous games in top form and Pollock is the world’s number one bowler. As support bowlers, stalwarts Andre Nel, Charl Langeveld, Jacques Kallis and Andrew Hall did their job. The difference between Australia and us was the fact that their strike bowlers and spinners performed.

OK, we must blame the tactics as well for the semi-final defeat  - why on earth would you go out like we did without Plan B?

For the team to regain the support of South African cricket supporters, Smith and coach Mickey Arthur, the selectors and the whole committee must be fired immediately. They did not perform and should fall on their swords. The huge salaries they earn could be put to better use in development.

Pollock, Ntini, Peterson, Langeveld, Justin Kemp and Roger Telemachus should be dropped and old man Ali Bacher should take over the reins until a decent committee and a selection panel of former greats can be selected. Tell the Minister of Sport to take a hike - only then can we start preparing for next World Cup.