“It was not good trying to find a window but we are working hard,” said CSA cricket director
Relations between South African Cricket (CSA) and Australian Cricket (CA) remain “under strain,” and South Africa is trying to move on from canceling an indefinite three-trial series. which was to take place on the Highveld in March.
With no international teams available to play in that summer’s main window, CSA cricket director Graeme Smith has announced that South Africa will play domestic four-day cricket over time. that and soon they will announce a busy winter program to take over the men ‘s national team until the next summer day. There is no word on when the Australian series will be rescheduled.
“The relationship is definitely under pressure at this stage,” Smith said, in a heartfelt news conference Monday morning. Communication needs to take place to improve matters between South Africa and Australia. “
Smith confirmed that South Africa would like to play Australia “in this calendar circle,” but admits that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a window. “We have been very involved with the Australian Cricket operations side and it was not good to try to find a window but we are working hard,” he said.
Last week, as reported by ESPNcricinfo, the CSA wrote to both the ICC and CA to express their disgrace at the postponed round and to warn that smaller countries sent away by the Big Three. Smith said the pandemic of Coronavirus is making it more difficult for less affluent countries to visit from England, India and Australia.
“Covid-19 has expanded its coverage and messaging. The FTP is going to be challenging with eight possible ICC competitions in eight years, an extended IPL and much of the calendar controlled by England, the United States. India and Australia. It makes it extremely challenging for the rest of the member countries, “he said.
“I don’t think world cricket wants three countries competing against each other in 10 years. How does that benefit the game?”
CSA cricket director Graeme Smith
“The game needs leadership. It needs to understand the difficulties. I don’t think world cricket wants three countries competing against each other in 10 years. How does that benefit the game? ? No. That will increase the leagues and leagues will grow bigger and the rest of the countries will have very little content.It was put forward quickly because of Covid.These issues are becoming more relevant and more and the ICC has gotten a little out of touch with these issues. “
Without a formal complaint, CSAs have no place against CA and have to deal with a thinner summer calendar and less money. In addition to the expenses incurred in trying to set up a biosecure environment for the Australian tour, CSA will also not make R40 million (US $ 2.7 million) in television revenue until the series takes place. . In addition, they have also spent extra money setting up biobubbles for domestic competitions including a one – day cup and a T20 competition, which will begin Thursday. “I don’t have a figure but it’s a lot more than we paid before,” said Smith.
All players with a national contract are available for the T20 tournament, putting a little effort into a relationship that is usually low. They also have to play in the four-day tournament and CSA is in talks with the pay-TV provider SuperSport to have some games televised before South Africa hosts Pakistan for three ODIs and four T20s in April.
The league in Pakistan seems to be going against the early part of the IPL, and the CSA has yet to confirm whether to drop their key players and play a second-string side against Pakistan or the United States. they kept the players contracted at home.
“We have not yet made a definitive decision on that. We have announced these fixtures. We are still awaiting dates for the IPL so internal communication must take place with leaders and constituents and we need to engage in a debate on how we are going to move forward with the IPL, “Smith said. “My opinion is that we need to invest in South African cricket and it has to come first but we have promised to release our players over the years to IPL. It is something that we have to debate it strongly. “
South Africa are now facing a West Indies style puzzle where they know it is more beneficial for players to participate in leagues like the IPL but they also need as much keep players engaged with the national establishment to build consistency in transition.
Since Mark Boucher took over in December 2019, South Africa have only won two out of eight awards and failed in the World Test Championship or restricted leagues. They have also been having a long time in play due to the pandemic, something Smith hopes will change in the winter.
“We need to get our players playing,” he said. “We have a lot of growth going on in the men’s game. Players must take action. We need to improve and we need to play the team. That is my ultimate goal. “
The fixtures could include the rescheduling of a white ball tour to Sri Lanka, which was canceled in May last year, or a trip to the Caribbean, which was to take place in July last year. South Africa is also looking at a trip to India ahead of the T20 World Cup. The FTP, as it currently stands, India is visiting South Africa in the summer of 2021-22, a trip away to New Zealand and a home series against Bangladesh but the fixtures are that’s all subject to what Covid-19 restrictions are in place and ensuring the safety of players, which has made the design of the cricket calendar more complicated than ever.
“There is an FTP platform but some of these windows have been worked out for centuries and allow members to move, add tours or make up for lost tours,” said Smith. That detail will take a little more time, especially with all the countries trying to fill the gaps caused by Covid-19. It’s a real foundation out there. “
Firdose Moonda is an ESPNcricinfo journalist in South Africa