Cricket South Africa

10 Of 16-Member South Africa Squad For Sri Lanka Series Test COVID-19 Positive

Published on December 18, 2020

South Africa’s 10 players out of the 16-member squad for the Sri Lanka series have tested positive for the coronavirus. They came in contact with the virus during the first-class matches this week.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has now announced that the domestic matches would be halted until next month as South Africa has officially entered the second wave of coronavirus.

Five squad members were in a match between the Dolphins and Titans which was abandoned after one day on Monday when a Dolphins player tested positive.

Another five squad members of Test played in a match between the Eagles and Lions which was completed on Wednesday despite a Lions player testing positive on the third day of the game.

South Africa’s home Test series against Sri Lanka, which starts in Centurion on December 26, is due to go ahead as planned but all members of the squad will need to be tested before entering a bio-secure bubble.

South African players on Saturday will be tested before entering bio-bubble:

Victor Mpitsang, convener of selectors, said the Test squad was due to assemble on Saturday.

“All the players will be tested before going into the bubble,” he said.

CSA Director of cricket Graeme Smith said the decision to postpone the domestic matches was taken in the interest of the health of players, support staff and stadium workers.

“CSA is committed to mitigating the impact of Covid-19 on the 2020/21 season, with the upcoming two-match Test series between South Africa and Sri Lanka being played in a bio-secure environment, which is a more controlled space than the domestic competition,” said Smith.

Meanwhile, three-day practice matches were due to start on Sunday between South Africa XI and Sri Lanka. However, the domestic cricketers will be given an extended break until the start of a domestic one-day competition, which is due to start on January 8.

Cricket/News

Star India Acquires Cricket South Africa Media Rights Untill 2024

Published on November 25, 2020

Star India has bagged broadcasting deal the media rights of Cricket South Africa (CSA) till the end of the 2023/24 cricket season. The deal will begin with England’s tour to South Africa starting on the 27th of November 2020.

The agreement grants Star India exclusive rights across linear and digital mediums including all India tours to South Africa in this period. Star India had recently gained huge profit because of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 as it has attained huge viewership.

The broadcaster’s CEO Sanjog Gupta has stated that they are happy to collaborate with Cricket South Africa

“We are delighted to collaborate with Cricket South Africa. This alliance fortifies our commitment to cricket and our belief in the significance of sport in Star India’s consumer proposition. South Africa has some of the most highly recalled Cricketers and competitive teams, which pride themselves in taking on the best from around the world. We look forward to hosting the best of South African cricket till 2024,” said Sanjog Gupta, CEO – Sports, Star India.

First non-India bilateral cricket tournament to be produced in Hindi: Star India

The partnership will kick off with an England tour of South Africa on 27 November 2020 during which the three T20Is will be broadcast in Hindi for the very first time. This will give these matches a significant reach in the Hindi-speaking markets.

“Star India has made significant investments over the years to deepen the relationship that fans have with the game via enhanced story-telling, innovations in broadcast and regionalisation. The broadcast of Dream11 IPL was an unprecedented collective endeavour built on the same principles.

“We will hope to apply the same approach and elevate the consumer experience of CSA’s matches. The partnership will kick off with England tour of South Africa on 27 November 2020 during which the three T20Is will be broadcast in Hindi for the very first time. This will give these matches significant reach in the Hindi-speaking markets,” he added.

As per Future Tours Plan, South Africa will be playing 59 matches at home including series against top teams such as India, England and Australia. This deal comprises 20 South Africa vs India bilateral matches across formats, with the first of these tours commencing in 2021/22 and comprising of three Tests and three T20Is.

Cricket/News

Cricket South Africa Enters The New Stage Of Stand-Off Between Member Council And Interim Board

Published on November 13, 2020

After convincing the then-incumbent board members of Cricket South Africa (CSA) to resign last month, Member Council had now a conflict with the interim board, which was formed to work in collaboration to achieve necessary change within the organization. However, Member Council, in the statement released by them, said that if they had continued to work with the interim board, they would have “failed to ensure that it acts in the public interest at all times.”

It has been over one year since Cricket South Africa CEO Thabang Moroe was suspended. And subsequently, when in August the financial misconduct was reported which lead to the intervention of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, who asked the board members to stand down in September. But nothing seems to come to agree to resolve the crises in South African cricket.

Cricket South Africa faces challenges ahead:

One of the reasons which CSA’s Member Council had raised concern was over the inclusion of Haroon Lorgat, who is former CSA CEO, in the interim board. They have submitted the written letter to the sports minister Nathan Mthethwa for why they are breaking down with the interim board.

The Member Council stated: “…..conflict of interest relating to a proposed member of the Interim Board; opposition to outlined roles, responsibilities and reporting lines as outlined in the Memorandum of Incorporation; unprofessional conduct; non-cooperation; and misalignment.”

Cricket South Africa Enters The New Stage Of Stand-Off Between Member Council And Interim Board 1 — South African team. Image Credit: Getty Images.

Retired judge Zak Yacoob, chairman of the interim board, responded to CSA’ Member Council’s statement by calling them ‘obstructionist.’

“The current situation is untenable and we are thus dismayed to be in receipt of what we can only describe as an obstructionist, legalistic letter from the Members’ Council while we have tried to put structures in place and hold individuals within CSA to account. We are of the view that the conduct of the Members’ Council is an attempt to stymie the work of our Board,” Yacoob said.

However, the conflict will not affect England‘s tour to South Africa, which include three ODIs and three T20Is.

Cricket/News

Cricket South Africa Acting President Beresford Williams Along With Four Members Quit With Immediate Effect

Published on October 25, 2020

Cricket South Africa (CSA) five board members, including acting president Beresford Williams, resigned from their post on Sunday (October 25) after the CSA members’ council had asked them to step down on Thursday.

Earlier, as reported by ESPNCricinfo, South Africa’s sports minister Nathi Mthethwa had aksed CSA to inform them by Tuesday that why he should not use the country’s National Sports and Recreation Act to intervene in its affairs following months of administrative distress. Ultimately, CSA board members bowed down to the government and handed their resignation.

Beresford Williams resigned for the betterment of cricket in South Africa:

Along with Williams, Eastern Province’s Donovan May‚ Limpopo Cricket’s John Mogodi‚ Tebogo Siko from the Northerns Cricket Union and Boland’s Angelo Carolissen have also stepped down.

Also Read: CSA Announces Franchise and Provincial Fixtures For 2020/21 Season

CSA, in their official statement, said that Williams resigned for the love for the game and in the best interest of South Africa.

“Acting President of CSA Beresford Williams has handed in his resignation with immediate effect. Williams said that he is deeply passionate about cricket and because of his love for the game, he has resigned as this is the best way he can currently serve cricket,” CSA clarified on Twitter.

The new interim board will compromise of a representative nominated by Minister Mthethwa‚ one by SASCOC and another one by the International Cricket Council (ICC), and former national cricketer pending approval from the South African Cricketers Association (SACA).

Graeme Smith, CSA — Graeme Smith (Image Credit: Google)

Cricket/News

CSA Announces Franchise and Provincial Fixtures For 2020/21 Season

Published on October 9, 2020

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the revised schedule of the franchise competition as well as the senior-level provincial competition including, both men and women, on Friday.

The outbreak of the coronavirus has postponed the domestic tournaments of South Africa but CSA has announced that they don’t have truncated any competition. But the Mazansi Super League has been further postponed and it schedule has not been announced.

In the first week of November, the franchise season, comprising of the four-day series and the Momentum One-Day Cup, will start while provincial cricket for both men and women will start at the beginning of January.

“We are pleased that no matches have been reduced despite the late start to the season. Both the four-day series and the Momentum One-Day Cup will have the six competing teams divided into two pools of three teams each. They will play a double round of fixtures against teams in their own pool and a single round of cross-pool matches,” CSA Acting Chief Executive Kugandrie Govender said in a statement.

CSA interim CEO expressed that the domestic tournament plays a big role in finding the potent players who can take South African team to next level.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of our domestic system and the important role it plays in our talent development pipeline for the Proteas. One only has to look at the number of players who made successful international debuts in the three formats last season,” Govender added.

Meanwhile, some South African players, including Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, are busy playing the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. They will miss out first few matches of the franchise season as IPL 2020 will end on November 10.

Cricket/News

Cricket South Africa Holds ‘Positive’ Talks With National Sports Body

Published on September 15, 2020

Cricket South Africa has confirmed on Tuesday, they have had a positive meeting with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) to address the concerns. SASCOC has suspended the board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) for a one month period, during which an investigation will be conducted on the board. The board has been under heavy criticism for malpractice and maladministration.

Also, two weeks back, 30 top players from the men’s and women’s national teams signed a letter criticizing the board for postponing CSA’s Annual General Meeting that had been scheduled for September five.

Cricket South Africa holds meeting with SASCOC:

The CSA has held a meeting with SASCOC and stated that they would like to find a common ground with SASCOC for the better interests of cricket.

“The meeting presented a step forward towards a collaborative approach in the interest of good governance and executive operations,” CSA said in a statement

“Key points were identified and deliberated by the attendees … with the ultimate end goal of achieving a unified focus on the game of cricket.”

SASCOC and CSA identified things to be put in place in the meeting: SASCOC CEO

SASCOC acting CEO Ravi Govender has stated that in the meeting with CSA they have identified the things that need to be mended and they will have a joint media briefing later on Thursday.

“We met last night, we have identified one or two things that need to be put in place and we will then hold a joint media briefing on Thursday,” he told Reuters.

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), had asked the CSA board and senior executives to step aside from their roles pending an investigation into allegations of malpractice and maladministration.

The Cricket South Africa had been criticised by sponsors as well as national team players, who accused the board of “self-interest” in failing to deal adequately with the contents of a report that led to the sacking of former chief executive Thabang Moroe some nine months after he was first suspended.

The board was also criticized after they postponed the Annual General Meeting scheduled for Sept. 5 which had been due to elect a new president and senior officials after Chris Nenzani resigned last month.

Cricket/News

CSA To Take Legal Advice And Seek ‘Middle Ground’ As South Africa Government Suspends Body

Published on September 11, 2020

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has suspended the board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) for a one month period, during which an investigation will be conducted on the board. The board has been under heavy criticism for malpractice and maladministration. Also, last week 30 top players from the men’s and women’s national teams signed a letter criticizing the board for postponing CSA’s Annual General Meeting that had been scheduled for Sept. 5.

The CSA which is headed by former South African cricketer Graeme Smith, has been in an appalling financial situation for some time now, which has only worsened amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

CSA seeks middle grounds with the South African government on the suspension of the board

Cricket South Africa disagrees with the South African government’s intervention into the board’s matters. They have sought to seek legal advice on the basis of SASCOC’s strike on them. However, they would like to find a common ground with SASCOC for the better interests of cricket.

“CSA, including its Members’ Council, does not agree with the resolution taken by SASCOC and has not had the opportunity to engage with SASCOC on various issues raised in the communication.” CSA said in a press release.

CSA

“In addition, CSA is taking legal advice regarding the basis on which SASCOC has sought to intervene in the business affairs of CSA. CSA does, however, commit to engaging further with SASCOC to understand its position and to find common ground with it in the best interests of cricket. The Members’ Council and the Directors of the Board of CSA will hold a joint workshop this weekend to discuss critical matters.”

South African government to seize control of CSA

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) on Thursday, had asked the CSA board and senior executives to step aside from their roles pending an investigation into allegations of malpractice and maladministration.

“Many instances of maladministration and malpractice that have occurred since at least December 2019. This has manifestly caused great concern and consternation amongst your own members, former and current members of the national team of the Proteas, stakeholders, sponsors, and members of the cricket-loving public.”

“There can be no doubt that this has caused cricket to lose the trust and confidence of members of the public, stakeholders, sponsors and the players represented by SACA (the South African Cricketers’ Association). All this has brought cricket into disrepute.”

Image Credit: Twitter.

The battle between the South African government and the CSA would also be a worry for the South African team’s participation in international cricket. The ICC will further decide if it would allow South Africa to play international cricket until the legal dispute continues.

Jonty Rhodes, Team India — Photo Credit: BCCI/IPL

Cricket/News

Jonty Rhodes Opens Up On Racism And Bedlam In Cricket South Africa

Published on September 9, 2020

Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes maintained that the chaos within the Cricket South Africa (CSA) has affected the team’s results to a great extent apart from admitted the fact that racism is still part of his country and it has left him nothing but eventually sad.

“The same mistakes are being made and there is not much accountability. It saddens me…it does impact on field performance. Even though we have some great players, we have been lacking consistency in performance because of inconsistency off the field,” PTI quoted Rhodes as saying.

Amid the racism allegations, South African team comprised of 32 players — had participated in culture camp held in August, this year. Pertinently, the campaign focused on unity and respect apart from adaptability and resilience in the team.

However, with Graeme Smith serving as the Director of Cricket at CSA, many believe that things would turn better for South Africa in the near future despite him being at the recieving end.

While reminiscing about 2014, Rhodes maintained that Smith had faced disparagement, however, Graeme Smith was the skipper of the team which partook in the first-ever culture camp.

“Graeme Smith has got a lot of disparagement of late but he was the captain of the team that had the first-ever team culture camp and came up with the ‘Protea Fire’,” Rhodes said.

The administration is in such chaos: Jonty Rhodes

Recently, Smith had received death threats for throwing support behind Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement which made an impact across the world after handcuffed George Floyd was pinned to the ground by a white police officer while kneeling on his neck. The 46-year-old African-American Floyd passed away on May 25.

Besides, Boeta Dippenaar, Pat Symcox had criticised young Proteas bowler Lungi Ngidi for giving thumbs up to BLM movement. The former players believe that everyone’s lives matter in this world.

Moreover, the Proteas board had also faced accusations of racial discrimination from its national players including Makhaya Ntini and Ashwell Prince.

The existing issues within the administration have further left a void in South Africa’s ecosystem. Besides, the CSA had monetary issues.

The veteran cricketer personally feels that the chaos within administration should end in a bid to improve things within the system which is need of the hour. He believes it is very unfortunate to see administration failing miserably despite 30 players offering to work for the betterment of cricket in the country.

“The sad thing for me is that even though top 30 players in the country want to work together for the game, the administration is in such chaos that unfortunately, it does have an impact on things (on the field),” Rhodes added.

White privilege continues: Jonty Rhodes

In August 2020, President Chris Nenzani has put down his papers since 2013. However, during Nenzani’s reign allegations of corruption were levelled against the administration.

“This white privilege still extends and carries on generation after generation; it is difficult for young black children coming up in a disadvantaged community to have a better life than their parents just because of lack of facilities. There is so much corruption,” Jonty Rhodes said.

Rhodes, who is known for setting a high-standard on the field – is concurrently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to serve as a chief coach for the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in the IPL 2020.

faf du plessis, black lives matter — Faf du Plessis. Image Credit: Getty Images.

Cricket/News

When AB de Villiers Retired, It Was Really Tough For Me: Faf du Plessis

Published on September 8, 2020

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has revealed how hard it was for him to cope with AB de Villiers announcing retirement from international cricket in 2018. When de Villiers announced his retirement in 2018 he left the whole world in shock and the most who suffered were team South Africa, who were very dependent on their talisman ABD.

After AB de Villier’s departure from the team, South Africa dealt with a big blow and the international results were a testament to how influential ABD’s presence was. Under Faf du Plessis’ leadership South Africa could only come 7th in the 2019 World cup, and later that year he stepped down from the captaincy.

AB de Villiers and Faf fu Plessis — AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis. Credits: AFP

“I depended a lot on him, as a friend, and obviously as the best player in the team” Faf du Plessis on AB de Villiers

South African batsman du Plessis recently revealed his emotions when de Villiers announced his retirement from the international circuit. The 36-year-old told how much he and the team were dependent on de Villiers, and the decision was a hard one for them to digest. He also mentioned he respected ABD’s decision, but it was in the back of his mind how are the team going to get the same performances as it was with him in the team.

“When AB left, it was really tough for me, because I depended a lot on him, as a friend, and obviously as the best player in the team, we needed his skills. When he told me that he was done with international cricket, as a friend, my first instinct was — I’m here for you, and I’ll support you, if you feel like you’re at the end of your career and you don’t want to do it anymore, then that’s okay – I support that decision 100 per cent, “ du Plessis told Ravichandran Ashwin on the latter’s official YouTube channel.

Image Credit: Getty Images.

“As a captain, I was like how do we move forward without AB, how do we get the same performances But the friend in me trumped the captain in me. And I just said, we’re going to miss you, are you sure? He was like, yeah, I am 100 per cent sure, I don’t want to play international cricket anymore. I don’t have the drive to do it anymore. So I am stopping. I respected that immediately and left it there. I never ever after that tried to convince him again, because I respected what he said. Even at times when we desperately needed him,” he added

“I am the captain, I had to make sure I stay strong for the team” : Faf du Plessis

In 2019 when the team was suffering, Du Plessis tells he carried all the pressure of the team but didn’t want it to be known to others, as it was his duty as a captain to stay strong for the team. He also revealed he has always liked captaining his side and it adds to the pleasure he takes in playing the sport.

“The last year of international cricket for me was tough, because I carried a lot of what was going through the team’s performances on my own shoulders, and I didn’t want to show that to anyone, because in my own head, I am the captain, I had to make sure I stay strong for the team,” du Plessis said.

Faf du Plessis. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

“That for me was the hardest thing to do myself, purely because I’ve believed that being a leader is something that was part of my purpose. And I’ve always enjoyed captaining more than I have enjoyed playing. I think I am a good player, but I think I really come to the party when it comes to captaining. That’s when I really love playing cricket. That’s what puts a smile on my face,” Faf du Plessis added.

Faf du Plessis will be seen in action for CSK in the IPL this season and his countryman de Villiers will be repping RCB’s colors. The 13th edition of the IPL is set to begin from September 19 till November 10, a total 53-day campaign will see all the eight teams play in UAE. The venue this time is UAE and matches will be played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.

Cricket/News

South Africa Captain Quinton de Kock Pleased With Much-Needed ‘Culture Camp’

Published on August 28, 2020

South Africa skipper Quinton de Kock has hailed CSA’s initiative to conduct ‘Culture Camp’ for the South African cricket team. The camp comprised of 32 players in total and was being conducted in Skukuza from August 18 to 22. The culture camp had been hosted on the backdrop of the increasing racial discrimination in South African cricket. The players in the camp had workshops on the team’s identity and environment and outline performance goals.

Faf Du Plessis was unable to attend the camp due to the birth of his second son. The camp was also attended by young players who are on the cusp of making it to the main team. Two players also tested positive for Covid-19 in the camp and were sent in isolation under the team’s medical supervision.

The Culture Camp was something that this team needed: Quinton De Kock

South Africa’s limited-overs skipper Quinton De Kock feels the culture camp was much needed for his team. It was held to address several issues currently affecting the game in South Africa at the moment. He said it helped the youngsters to get to know the team before they were selected to represent the country on the biggest stage.

“A lot of guys got things off their back, it was something that this team needed. We’ve had a lot of good chats which I think the team needed. Everyone is leaving feeling a lot better about the environment and about themselves,” said De Kock.

Quinton de Kock, South Africa cricketer of the year — Quinton de Kock. (Photo by Isuru Sameera Peris/Gallo Images)

“We feel a lot more comfortable as a team going forward, which was needed… we’re excited about going into the future now. In this environment, even though you’re contracted it doesn’t mean that you’re guaranteed to play, so I think it was important that the up and coming players needed to be there with the squad,” he added.

It was important for the youngsters to be here: Quinton De Kock

The southpaw felt that it was important for the youngsters who are on the verge of entering the team to attend the culture camp and to know how things work on the biggest setup. He said it was great to know the views of the young guns and to help them in understanding the Proteas’ situation.

Quinton de Kock, IPL 2019, MI vs CSK — Photo Credit: BCCI/IPL.

“This is professional sport and we’re trying to play the best team that we can. If a younger guy is performing and he gets an opportunity, it doesn’t help that he hasn’t been here and he doesn’t know anything. We’ve seen what they’ve done in the franchise system and we know there’s a potential future for them in the team, so it was important for them to come here,” told De Kock

“It was great to learn some views from the younger guys and help them understand the situation with the Proteas and how we want to go about things,” he stated.

Quinton De Kock will be seen in action in the IPL for Mumbai Indians. The IPL 2020 will begin from September 19 till November 10, a total 53-day campaign will see all the 8 teams play in UAE. The venue this time is UAE and matches will be played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Cricket South Africa

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