Witchdoctors and South African Selector
One South African selector was at the President’s Box watching every ball which was bowled and taking notes. When we found that he was a selector we became friendly. Then we spoke at random about cricket and the standard of Sri Lankan cricket and other matters 
which interest men. Thereafter the conversation shifted to the possibility of South Africans drawing the match, which would make them No 1 Test team in the world. When Amla and De Villers got out he said only rain could prevent Sri Lanka levelling the series.
Then my friend Dinal Philips broached subject of rain dance and mumbo jumbo and African witchdoctors. Moment he mentioned the word ‘witchdoctor’ there was rain and the match had stopped for rain. We, were quite amused by the coincidence but the Proteas selector was not. Many Africans including those in the super society like the intellectuals scientists and ordinary folk believe in witchdoctors.
Once a league cricket team was at the bottom of the table, they consulted a witchdoctor who had agreed to make them No.1 team. There was some publicity in the Gossip columns and the team really did well but could not become the No.1 ranked team, they lost the crucial matches. The witchdoctor then gave a press interview and said the management failed to honour their obligation and did not pay his Witch Craft fee which was 200,000 rands (South African Currency), therefore they could not win the final matches. The Management Committee refused to acknowledge the statement. This became such controversy that it was highlighted in the media.
The witchdoctor then came and said he was working with another team and guaranteed that they will win the title. This was long before the event. One day the media caught him sporting the shirt of the team he was supporting. To everyone’s amazement, not only that team won the match but won the title. The witchdoctor became an instant celebrity. Everyone was cursing the management for not paying his fee.
When the rains intervened and stole number of hours I was looking at him. He was muttering something and we drew the match not because Ajantha Mendis bowled his worst ever spell he bowled but the witchdoctor may have been consulted by the Selector. Now we know why South Africa is the number one team in the world