Patrick Moroney, the current convenor of selectors of the Jozi Stars in the MSL and a long-time administrator at the Gauteng Cricket Board (GCB), has emerged as the frontrunner to be appointed South Africa's new convenor of selectors. Moroney was interviewed alongside former international Monde Zondeki and former convenor of selectors Linda Zondi, whose tenure ended after the 2019 World Cup.
ESPNcricinfo understands that Cricket South Africa (CSA) is close to giving Moroney the job, despite postponing the appointment of the director of cricket. Last Thursday, CSA CEO Thabang Moroe said the board would make a statement regarding the director of cricket on Friday but CSA is yet to do so.
Sources have confirmed that CSA will not make the appointment this year and will restart their search for a director of cricket after their preferred candidate for the job, Graeme Smith, withdrew from the race earlier this month. Suspended interim director of cricket Corrie van Zyl and former national selector Hussein Manack, were also in contention for the position of director of cricket but CSA has decided to start their search afresh in 2020. Until then, interim team director Enoch Nkwe will remain in charge of the national team.
That means South Africa will go into their home series against England, which starts in exactly a month's time, under Nkwe. Moroe indicated on a radio interview with SAFM that Nkwe would be provided with additional support staff. The extent of the new convenor of selectors' involvement is not yet known and will depend on when he officially begins work.
Moroney has no first-class or international playing experience but has spent a significant amount of time at Gauteng, where Moroe's administrative career began. As GCB chairman, Moroney was also a key player during a time of strife at the organisation, in particular when they were in dispute with CSA over bonuses paid from the 2009 IPL, which was played in South Africa. The GCB was put under administration by CSA, amid claims of racial disharmony and their constitution and operating procedures were reviewed.
Since then, Moroney has worked on the selection panel of the Lions and is currently convenor of selectors for the Stars, who have not won any of their six matches in the ongoing MSL. Still, Moroney's administrative experience is likely to see him preferred over Zondeki, who had played six Tests, 13 ODIs and a solitary T20I between 2002 and 2008 and now works in commentary, and Zondi, who was in the job for just over four years.