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Cricket South Africa Discussion

JOHANNESBURG: The Interim Board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) notes the Minister's statement regarding his proposed intervention in cricket in terms of s 13(5) of the Sports Act.

The Interim Board (IB) wishes to again express its disappointment with the actions of the Members' Council at yesterday's Special General Meeting (SGM).

By not accepting a new governance model, despite their previous undertaking to do so, the actions of the Members' Council have placed the game's future at grave risk. IB Chair, Dr Stavros Nicolaou, stated that, “The Board believes that the Minister was left with no option but to invoke his powers in terms of the Act. The Board remains concerned that the impact of the Members' Council actions will have serious consequences for cricket's stakeholders, specifically grassroots cricket and sponsorship contracts. The Minister's action must, however, now take its course.”

The IB will be working at a rapid pace to complete the remainder of its work, specifically its final report. That report will provide details of the ongoing and acute governance failures in cricket, manifested in the dysfunctional SGM yesterday.
 
Johannesburg: The Members’ Council of Cricket South Africa (CSA) has today shared a factual account of the events leading to the voting at the Special General Meeting (SGM) and the misrepresentations that were made.

Following the recent SGM conducted by CSA, the Members’ Council (MC) are of the opinion that not all facts were presented by the Interim Board (IB) in terms of the vote that recently vetoed the adoption of the proposed Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI).

There are several factors that led to this impasse:

Notice and Draft MOI

The MOI final draft was received by the MC on Friday, 16 April at 00h38. The notice of the meeting was finally received at 20h26 on the same day. This hardly gave the MC anytime to send, discuss and approve the final draft of the MOI with the actual custodians of cricket, which are the affiliates. Hence there was plea for a 7-day extension, which was rejected by the IB.

Condoning of defective notice

Whilst all 14 affiliates agreed to the condoning of the defective notice of these, 06 (six) of the affiliates indicated that they needed to engage their members and proposed that the SGM be moved by a week to the 24 April 2021. The results on the vote of the defective notice were communicated to the interim board on the morning of Friday, 16 April 2021, that very afternoon around 14h00 the IB informed MC that the Minister of Sport said the SGM will carry on the next day regardless.

SASCOC provisions

The Affiliates were cognisant of the fact that any amendment to the MOI needed to be endorsed by SASCOC prior to its adoption. In several meeting the MC pleaded with the IB that as part of good governance, the amendments to the MOI ought to be sent to SASCOC for approval. The IB brashly disregarded this plea and indicated that the Minister would manage SASCOC. The Minister also said that the IB should disregard any governance document, legislation or provisions thereof that posed as a hindrance to their mandate.

SASCOC sanctions vs Ministerial sanctions

The Affiliates were aware that if they were to adopt the MOI at the SGM without SASCOC’s input, CSA could be suspended or expelled as a National Sport Federation. This would have dire repercussions for our players as they would not be able to represent South Africa on any International stage. MC had to make the decision that placed the sport and its players first.

Contentious provisions in the new MOI

The margin between the Independent Directors and Non-Independent Directors – Post the meeting between the Minister, IB chairperson and CSA Acting President on 12 April 2021, the IB Chairperson proposed that the Board would comprise of 07 Independent Directors, 05 Non-Independent Directors and 01 Executive (being CEO). This message was communicated to the affiliates, however, in the final draft the MOI presented 07 Independent Directors, 04 Non-independent Directors and 02 Executives (being the CEO and CFO). This, the MC construed as acting in bad faith by the IB.

Independent chairperson - The Minister and the IB continue to stress the fact that they are implementing the Nicholson Recommendations but the Nicholson report made no mention of the CSA Board being Chaired by an Independent Director. Therefore, why add to what Nicholson did not recommend if the mandate was purely the implementation of the Nicholson recommendations?

Objectives of the Company – the Members Council are of the opinion that the objectives of the company are to be determined by the Members Council and the Board to give effect to implementation of the determined objectives.

Affiliates to mirror CSA MOI – The contents of this clause implies that in every structure down to club level, their Boards must have an Independent chairperson, have a majority of Independent Directors and have their CEO and CFO as part of the Board. This is impractical and would result in cricket being administered by non-cricketing individuals at grassroot level.

The refusal by the IB to afford Members’ Council sufficient time to deliberate the final draft of the MOI with their respective affiliates was a catalyst to this impasse. The time span of less than 24 hours to consider such an important document is in our opinion unreasonable. In addition, the duress and political pressure displayed prior to the voting at the SGM was highly unorthodox, unfortunate, and unethical.

An MOI is a document that must be designed to be fit for purpose while adhering to the prescripts of legislation.
The Members Council does not believe the impasse is unresolvable, it merely implores the IB to respectfully and willingly come to the table and take into consideration what is in the best interests of the Players and Cricket as a whole.
 
The Northerns Cricket Union (NCU) Board and NCU Members Council met on the 20th of April 2021 to discuss the current impasse between Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) Members' Council and the Interim Board after a Special General Meeting (SGM) was held on Saturday the 17th of April 2021.

After deliberation, our Board and Members Council mandated the following press release reflecting our stance.

Majority Independent Board/ Independent Chairperson

Our mandate makes provision for a majority Independent Board and Independent Chairperson. We made strong recommendations that the chairperson must be someone with the skill and experience to lead CSA. Further to this, at least one Independent Director must have played International Cricket and, at least two members must have served in sports structures.


Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI)

We have sought input from both an expert in International Sports Law and a vastly experienced governance expert. We have raised our concerns on several clauses. We do, however, note that some of these clauses have been amended. It was not possible to work through the entire MOI before the SGM due to the tight timeline. Our disagreement on some clauses should not interpret as a lack of support for a majority Independent Board or Independent Chairperson.

There seems to be uncertainty around the clauses related to the nominations committee. Our biggest concern remains around schedule 3 and Clause 19.1. The Clauses may contradict each other. We are comfortable if the Directors are appointed as per 19.1. We would appreciate more clarity on this. We would support a more inclusive process in the appointment of the Independent Nominations Committee. We are further concerned that the Interim Board is too powerful in this process.

The Northerns Members Council further suggest that, if needed, a workshop should be held to understand the various clauses. It could be a matter of parties not interpreting the clauses correctly. We understand that all clauses cannot be renegotiated at this stage. However, we feel that the nomination process should be a priority. Northerns has in the past raised concerns on the appointment of directors.

We wish to make it clear that, minor disagreements on the MOI should not prevent the parties from agreeing to the new MOI. Our matters in principle mostly related to the Independent nominations committee and criteria related to the skills and experience of directors.


SASCOC

It is worth noting that the Nicholson recommendation was not implemented in 2012/2013 because The Minister, SASCOC and CSA had initially agreed to implement a majority Independent Board with an Independent Chairperson. This was blocked by SASCOC and resulted in CSA postponing their AGM and restructuring the Board back to a majority Non-Independent Board Members and a Non-Independent Chairperson.

We feel that the SASCOC matter has not been resolved and is of concern, as SASCOC can suspend CSA.

Again, we must note that we do not raise this matter to be obstructive or withhold support for change, but we have received legal advice if the SASCOC matter is not addressed.

National Convention/ Indaba

We fear that the parties in the impasse have reached a point where we question whether they can negotiate in good faith.

We suggest holding an urgent National Convention by an Independent Facilitator.

Attending this convention must be SACA/ Sponsors/ Interim Board/ Members' Council/ SASCOC/ Ministry.

Lastly, we hope that this matter will be resolved quickly so that cricket is unified again.
 
A yet-to-be-settled dispute currently roiling South Africa cricket threatens to scupper the team’s chances of touring the West Indies later this year.

The Proteas have been tentatively scheduled to tour the Caribbean in June of this year, most likely in Trinidad and Tobago, but a dispute between Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the government could lead to its cancellation.

The issue stems from the government's request that Cricket South Africa (CSA) adopt a new constitution for cricket administration in the country. In a recent meeting, however, CSA voted against adopting the measure. The country’s sports minister is as a result said to be considering taking serious measures against the board.

One option could be to take away the body’s right to designate itself as the official national representative of the country. As such, CSA could not then select a national team for the tour of the Caribbean.

South Africa is one of several countries that are lined up to tour the Caribbean this year, as the region looks to recover from the financial setback of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sri Lanka toured the region last month and Australia and Pakistan are also expected to tour the Caribbean later this year. The South Africa series was previously reported to consist of two Tests and five T20s.

https://www.sportsmax.tv/index.php/...after-cricket-south-africa-government-dispute
 
JOHANNESBURG: The Interim Board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) is in receipt of correspondence from Minister Mthethwa regarding the exercise of his powers in terms of section 13 of The National Sport and Recreation Act 110 of 1998, as amended ('The Act').

It is indeed a very sad day for our country, for cricket, for the millions of South African fans who love the game and the sponsors who have committed to cricket and its grassroots development. But it is a specifically sad day for the players, staff and others whose livelihoods are at stake.

Chair of the Board, Dr Stavros Nicolaou, said: “Only the Members' Council can retrieve the situation now by resolving to support an expedited procedure in terms of section 60 of the Companies Act.”

The Board commends the majority of the Members' Council who support good governance and voted in favour of a modern governance structure for cricket. It is deeply disappointing that a self-interested vocal minority voted against change while three members chose to abstain. These actions have now brought the game to its knees and will cause the greatest crisis since readmission.
 
MTHETHWA STRIPS CSA OF AUTHORITY TO RUN CRICKET IN SA:

Pathetic and embarrassing. Like almost everything in this country, can't even keep a sport going. RIP.
 
There's literally less than a week to save South African cricket.

If the Members Council do not agree to a majority independent board, CSA will no longer be recognised as the official governing body and South Africa will not be playing international cricket for a very long time.
 
When you look at these events, its basically a battle for money. None of the people fighting care for SA cricket, its all about the chance to earn some easy cash.
 
JOHANNESBURG: The Members’ Council and the Interim Board of CSA met today to deal with all outstanding issues related to amending CricketSA’s Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI).

The Members’ Council and the Board are very pleased to announce that a crisis has been averted and agreement has been reached on all those outstanding issues.

This agreement will now trigger an expedited process to adopt the MOI in terms of the Companies Act (s60) within 48 hours.

By reaching this agreement, cricket in South Africa has adopted a governance model which is best practice both in South Africa and internationally.

Acting President of the Members’ Council, Mr Rihan Richards said, ‘The Members’ Council is pleased to have been part of a thorough and fruitful consultative process today.

Today is a historic day for cricket in South Africa and we look forward to being part of a new governance structure for cricket and playing our part in ensuring sound administration of the game we hold so dear. I am grateful to my Members’ Council colleagues and the Interim Board for ensuring that we avert a proposed ministerial intervention which would have caused cricket in our country irreparable harm.’

Speaking on behalf of the Interim Board, chair Dr Stavros Nicolaou said, ‘Today we reached an important milestone, and I am delighted that the Members’ Council and the Board reached agreement on a new governance structure.

We have now successfully managed to fulfill the mandate given to us by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa. We trust that this important agreement will give confidence to all cricket’s stakeholders specifically, players, staff, sponsors and all in the country who love the game of cricket. We owed it to our country to find a solution to cricket’s governance challenges.’

Once the s60 process has run its course CSA's Members' Council and Interim Board will host a joint press conference and the amended MOI will be made public. Until then CSA will make no further comment on the matter.

In the interests of transparency the Members' Council and the Interim Board will be sharing the amended MOI with all cricket's stakeholders including SASCOC.
 
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JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) Members’ Council today confirmed that it has unanimously accepted a new Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) by written resolution as contemplated in section 60 of the Companies Act.

The MOI embraces modern governance requirements as well as the recommendations contained in the Nicholson Report.

“We have now reached the stage,” commented CSA Interim Board chairperson Dr Stavros Nicolaou, “where we can move to complete one of the outstanding issues of our mandate which is to hold the Annual General Meeting.

“I would like to thank the Members’ Council for ensuring that this resolution is passed. Cricket is now poised to move forward with a new governance structure. We look forward to taking the focus away from the boardroom and to the field of play especially ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.”

“We have kept Minister Nathi Mthethwa fully briefed on the latest developments,” concluded Dr Nicolaou.
 
CSA instituted disciplinary proceedings against Mr Welsh Gwaza, the CSA Company Secretary, on 30 November 2020. Mr Gwaza was suspended on the same day, with full pay, pending the determination of the disciplinary enquiry.

The hearing was set to commence on 14 December 2020, which afforded Mr Gwaza more than the minimum 3 days’ notice set in CSA’s Disciplinary Code. However, pursuant to a postponement application brought by the legal representative for Mr Gwaza, the first day of the hearing was deferred to 17 December 2020.

In totality, proceedings were heard on 17 and 18 December 2020, on 13, 14, 17, 18 and 19 February 2021, and on 18, 19 and 21 March 2021. The proceedings were presided over by well-respected and senior Johannesburg counsel, Advocate Terry Motau SC.

The charges brought against Mr Gwaza by CSA can be summarized as follows:

i. Charge 1 – gross insubordination and/or insolence in respect of Mr Gwaza’s interactions with members of the interim board of directors.
ii. Charge 2 – breach(es) of the provisions of the Companies Act, and Mr Gwaza’s failure and/or refusal to disclose relevant information. This charge consisted of various sub-charges in which it was alleged that Mr Gwaza misconducted himself with regard to the following transactions/scenarios:
a. representations made to the International Cricket Council;
b. the appointment of People Link and Ms Chantel Moon;
c. the conclusion of the Framework Agreement between CSA and Global Sports Commerce;
d. CSA’s exercise of its “step-in” rights in respect of the Western Province Cricket Association; and
e. CSA’s exercise of its “step-in” rights in respect of the North-West Cricket Union.
iii. Charge 3 – gross misconduct and dereliction of duty.
iv. Charge 4 – breach(es) of CSA’s Code of Ethics.

Regrettably, the expeditious finalisation of proceedings sought by CSA was regularly compromised by Mr Gwaza and his legal team, who took various opportunities to raise speculative technical points and launch numerous and ill-advised interlocutory applications which often required several unnecessary postponements of the matter. Mr Gwaza’s intermittent unavailability to attend proceedings, as well as that of his witnesses, also contributed to the overall delays in these proceedings.

But for this, proceedings would have been concluded much sooner. In this regard, Adv Motau stated the following in his findings: “I have endeavoured to be as fair as possible to Mr Gwaza, and even generous in my approach to his defence, notwithstanding the impact on CSA. However, the manner in which he and his legal team have conducted themselves in these proceedings has, at times, left much to be desired.”

Adv Motau delivered his findings, comprehensively set out in a 193-page document, on 24 May 2021, in which he found Mr Gwaza guilty of charge 1 and sub-charges 2 (a), (b), (c) and (d) (as set out above).
Given the public interest in these proceedings, a full copy of the chairperson’s findings, the sanction given and an executive summary of the findings prepared by CSA’s attorneys. All these can be accessed on the CSA website at the following link: https://bit.ly/355sZdI.

Following the chairperson’s findings, the parties filed their submissions in mitigation and aggravation of sentence on 2 June 2021. On 10 June 2021, Adv Motau notified the parties that, given the severity and seriousness of the charges on which Mr Gwaza was found guilty, and further as there was little doubt that the employment relationship between CSA and Mr Gwaza had irretrievably broken down, the most appropriate sanction in the circumstances would be for Mr Gwaza to be dismissed with immediate effect.

Regarding the pending disciplinary proceedings against CSA’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ms Kugandrie Govender, CSA confirms that the hearing of oral evidence on both sides has concluded. The parties are in the midst of submitting their written closing argument by 11 June 2021, following which Adv Motau (who also presided over this matter) will prepare his written findings in these proceedings.
 
JOHANNESBURG: Following the completion of the Interim Board’s (IB) mandate, the Chair of the IB of Cricket South Africa (CSA), Dr Stavros Nicolaou, supported by the Acting President of CSA, Rihan Richards, handed over the IB Report to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa at CSA’s head office earlier today.

The handover of the IB Report officially marks the end of the Minister’s brief to the IB.
 
Cricket South Africa (CSA) held a successful Annual General Meeting today at which Mr Rihan Richards was elected as President and Mr Donovan May as Vice-President, both by unanimous vote.

The following seven independent directors were appointed by the Independent Directors Nominations Panel: Steven Budlender SC, Andrew Hudson, Dugmore Lushaba, Lawson Naidoo, Andisa Ntsubane, Mark Rayner, Muditambi Ravele.

The meeting was adjourned to next Wednesday evening when the eighth independent director will be appointed as well as for the appointment of the Chair and Members of the Audit and Risk Committee.

The following non-independent directors were elected: Daniel Govender, John Mogodi, Craig Nel, Tebogo Siko and Simphiwe Ndzundzu.

The chair of the Board and the Lead Independent Director (LID) will be elected at the first meeting of the new Board.

The new CSA Board will plan for this year’s AGM in September as the matters dealt with today refer to the previous financial year that finished in April 2020.

Price Waterhouse Coopers were appointed as independent auditors for the past financial year.

In his address to the meeting Mr Richards said the important learning from the past year had been the need for a unified cricket family and to rectify what had gone wrong in the past.

“It is important that we hold everybody to account and never accept anything at face value without a thorough interrogation.

“The challenge that faces us as leadership is to lead righteously, promote the interest of CSA above all else, ready ourselves to be the servants of the game and the nation, continue to seek and promote what is right. Let us continually remind ourselves that it is not about us but about the game.”

In a short address the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, who attended the meeting by invitation, said:

“I want to start by affirming what the acting president has said about rectifying the situation. You will be taking charge of CSA’s destiny by electing a new leadership. Thank you for the trust you have placed in my department to get involved and now to withdraw from this situation. The journey to this meeting has been long. It will serve no purpose to recount the obstacles we encountered along the way as that will detract from the hard work that has been put in. I trust that the new board will treat the mandate of the interim board with seriousness and the necessary zeal to implement it.

“May cricket be the winner!”

The chair of the outgoing Interim Board, Dr Stavros Nicolaou, hailed the AGM as the start of a new era.

“It is highly appropriate that we have reached this historic moment in the transformation of our governance model as we prepared to celebrate the 30th birthday of Cricket South Africa (CSA) or the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) as it was originally known in just over two weeks’ time.

“And, indeed, what a fine way to celebrate it! We have now completed a process that had its roots almost a decade ago in the recommendations of former Judge Chris Nicholson, a great lover of our game, who also played a major role in keeping the spirit of non-racial cricket alive in very difficult times.

“Our new Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) is a document we can all embrace with pride as it puts us in a position to execute the best governance practices that will make CSA able to stand comparison with any other sporting organisation around the globe. It is a world-class document.”
 
The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) today welcomed the appointment of the new Cricket South Africa Board of Directors.

Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO commented “The past 24-month period has been tumultuous for South African cricket. Our game has suffered immense damage and the appointment of the new Board of Directors has itself been a challenging and complex process. SACA is looking forward to a constructive relationship with the new Board, where the interests of cricket can again be the focus of all stakeholders. In addition to the immediate issues of appointing a new CEO, the financial sustainability of the game and transformation, the new Board must look to regain the confidence of the public, players and stakeholders."

“We wish to acknowledge the hard work of Minister Nathi Mthetwa and the Ministry of Sport Arts and Culture, the Interim Board and the Members’ Council in concluding this challenging process.”

SACA President, Khaya Zondo, added “Players have been longing for certainty and consistency in the game for the past two years. We are hoping that the appointment of the new Board, with its majority of independent directors, will be the first step in achieving this. Now is the time for all stakeholders to work together to save the game we love.”
END

The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) is the players’ union of South Africa’s professional cricketers. It represents over 300 players comprising of the Proteas (men and women) teams, the Division 1 and Division 2 teams. It is run by the players, for the players and is the collective voice of South Africa’s professional cricketers.
 
Mr Lawson Naidoo was elected chairperson of the Board of Directors of Cricket South Africa (CSA) when the Board held its first meeting since the Annual General Meeting this evening.

Mr Naidoo is the executive secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) and a founding partner of the Paternoster Group, a political risk consultancy.

“I thank my fellow Board members for the confidence they have shown in electing me as chairperson,” he commented. “We are all well aware of the challenges facing us in making CSA a world-class sporting organization both on and off the field of play.”

As one unified Board of CSA, the Directors are committed to working together in the best interests of the game and the people of South Africa. The Board agreed to focus their first 100 days in office on bringing stability to the organization and embarking on an engagement programme to gain input from stakeholders as it seeks to align everyone towards a shared vision for the future.

The Board also took the opportunity to appreciate the sterling leadership of the Interim Board, the Members Council as well as all cricket stakeholders who worked together to forge a unity of purpose that will now enable the new Board to start a new chapter of cricket in South Africa.

Mr Steven Budlender SC was elected to the position of Lead Independent Director.
 
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has learned with great sadness of the passing of Goolam Rajah, one of the legendary figures of the post-unity period of South African cricket, this morning. He had been in failing health for some time.

Mr Rajah was 74 years old.

Goolie, as he was known by everybody who had anything to do with South African cricket and particularly the Proteas, served first as team manager and then logistics manager of the national men’s cricket team for close on two decades.

At the time of unity, he served on the inaugural Gauteng Cricket Board and was also a senior provincial selector and was co-opted on to the Transvaal Cricket Board executive at the time of the unity negotiations.

To the Proteas he was much more than part of the management team. He was a friend, confidant and adviser. In total, 107 players represented the Proteas during his time in more than 600 matches across the three formats. They will all remember him with great fondness and gratitude.

He personally considered his greatest achievement to be invited by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to manage the World XI against Australia, the No. 1 team in the world at the time, in a one-off Test match.

“It is a very sad day for the South African Cricket Family,” commented CSA Acting Chief Executive Pholetsi Moseki. “Goolam was a very special human being who has touched so many lives in a positive way in the 30 years we have enjoyed being a democratic cricket organization.

“We all have our special memories of him which we will treasure. He was truly a man who gave a great deal to the game of cricket and to everybody involved in it.

“I extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Shaheda, popularly known to us all as Poppy, his children, Mohammed Faeez and Zuraida, his extended family, his friends and colleagues both in the game of cricket and in the wider society,” he concluded.

Lawson Naidoo paid tribute on behalf of the CSA Board. “One can never have a successful team without a good administration behind them. Goolam played a major role in making sure that they were not side-tracked by off-the-field issues. During his tenure the Proteas enjoyed significant success, winning the ICC knock-out trophy (the precursor to the Champions Trophy) and the Commonwealth Games Gold Medal in 1998, achieving their best World Cup result with a tied semi-final against Australia in 1999, winning a Test series in England in 2008 and a first ever Test series win in Australia later the same year. These achievements speak for themselves.

“He was a humble man and true servant of the game.”

Graeme Smith paid tribute on behalf of the players. “Goolam was a true father figure who looked after the players like his own. He took care of everything with such detail that the players were able to focus totally on the cricket and that was why his tenure was so successful. The players were particularly appreciative of the way he looked after their wives and partners on away tours. We will indeed be fortunate to see his like again.”

CSA President Rihan Richards spoke on behalf of the Members’ Council. “His service to the game was legendary and exemplary. He was a role model for all to follow although almost impossible to emulate. We thank him and pay tribute to his family who had to manage without having him at home for long periods of time.”

The Proteas players will wear black armbands for their T20 International match this evening as a gesture of respect. There will also be a minute’s silence before the start of play.

SuperSport will be running a tribute before the start of tonight’s match.
 
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has learned with great sadness of the passing of Goolam Rajah, one of the legendary figures of the post-unity period of South African cricket, this morning. He had been in failing health for some time.

Mr Rajah was 74 years old.

Goolie, as he was known by everybody who had anything to do with South African cricket and particularly the Proteas, served first as team manager and then logistics manager of the national men’s cricket team for close on two decades.

At the time of unity, he served on the inaugural Gauteng Cricket Board and was also a senior provincial selector and was co-opted on to the Transvaal Cricket Board executive at the time of the unity negotiations.

To the Proteas he was much more than part of the management team. He was a friend, confidant and adviser. In total, 107 players represented the Proteas during his time in more than 600 matches across the three formats. They will all remember him with great fondness and gratitude.

He personally considered his greatest achievement to be invited by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to manage the World XI against Australia, the No. 1 team in the world at the time, in a one-off Test match.

“It is a very sad day for the South African Cricket Family,” commented CSA Acting Chief Executive Pholetsi Moseki. “Goolam was a very special human being who has touched so many lives in a positive way in the 30 years we have enjoyed being a democratic cricket organization.

“We all have our special memories of him which we will treasure. He was truly a man who gave a great deal to the game of cricket and to everybody involved in it.

“I extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Shaheda, popularly known to us all as Poppy, his children, Mohammed Faeez and Zuraida, his extended family, his friends and colleagues both in the game of cricket and in the wider society,” he concluded.

Lawson Naidoo paid tribute on behalf of the CSA Board. “One can never have a successful team without a good administration behind them. Goolam played a major role in making sure that they were not side-tracked by off-the-field issues. During his tenure the Proteas enjoyed significant success, winning the ICC knock-out trophy (the precursor to the Champions Trophy) and the Commonwealth Games Gold Medal in 1998, achieving their best World Cup result with a tied semi-final against Australia in 1999, winning a Test series in England in 2008 and a first ever Test series win in Australia later the same year. These achievements speak for themselves.

“He was a humble man and true servant of the game.”

Graeme Smith paid tribute on behalf of the players. “Goolam was a true father figure who looked after the players like his own. He took care of everything with such detail that the players were able to focus totally on the cricket and that was why his tenure was so successful. The players were particularly appreciative of the way he looked after their wives and partners on away tours. We will indeed be fortunate to see his like again.”

CSA President Rihan Richards spoke on behalf of the Members’ Council. “His service to the game was legendary and exemplary. He was a role model for all to follow although almost impossible to emulate. We thank him and pay tribute to his family who had to manage without having him at home for long periods of time.”

The Proteas players will wear black armbands for their T20 International match this evening as a gesture of respect. There will also be a minute’s silence before the start of play.

SuperSport will be running a tribute before the start of tonight’s match.
 
Sisanda Magala has been ruled out of the Proteas tour to Ireland after suffering injury to his left ankle during the Ireland squad’s preparations in Grenada. The projected recovery time is three to four weeks.

Beuran Hendricks has been retained from the West Indies tour.

The team has arrived safely in Dublin for their historic, maiden, full white-ball tour of the country, which runs from 11 to 24 July. It comprises three ODI and three T20 International matches in Dublin and Belfast respectively.

Updated Proteas squad to Ireland

Temba Bavuma (captain, Central Gauteng Lions), Quinton de Kock (Northerns), Bjorn Fortuin (Central Gauteng Lions), Beuran Hendricks (Western Province), Reeza Hendricks (Central Gauteng Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Northerns), George Linde (Western Province), Keshav Maharaj (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Janneman Malan (Boland), Aiden Markram (Northerns), David Miller (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Wiaan Mulder (Central Gauteng Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Northerns), Anrich Nortje (Eastern Province), Andile Phehlukwayo (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Kagiso Rabada (Central Gauteng Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Northerns), Rassie van der Dussen (Central Gauteng Lions), Kyle Verreynne (Western Province), Lizaad Williams (Northerns).
 
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) notes the testimonies of the witnesses who have given evidence at the Social Justice and Nation Building hearings which began on Monday 5 July 2021 and which are scheduled for 5 – 23 July 2021.

The Ombudsman’s Terms of Reference adopted by the recently appointed CSA Board ensure that where allegations are made against individuals or organisations, they will be given a proper opportunity to respond to these in due course. This will take place before the Ombudsman delivers his report to the CSA Board at the end of September 2021.

In view of this, CSA prefers not to comment publicly during the ongoing process of these hearings on the evidence that has and will emerge. As Chair of the CSA Board, Lawson Naidoo, explained during the hearings on Monday: “This approach will protect the independence, autonomy and integrity of this process.”

CSA will therefore allow the process to take its course and will, at the appropriate time and in consultation with the Ombudsman, formally respond to pertinent issues raised by the evidence, so that the Ombudsman has all the relevant factual information at his disposal when he compiles and finalizes his report.

Said Pholetsi Moseki, Acting Chief Executive of CSA: “We welcome this opportunity as a time of reflection for our organisation. We hope that it will assist CSA and its new Board to chart a new and transformed future for SA cricket.”.
 
"A clique of 5 white players ran the South African team" - Roger Telemachus alleges

Roger Telemachus has recently alleged that his lack of selection in the playing eleven for South Africa especially during the 2007 World Cup was due to a clique of 5 senior white players who ran the team as they liked. Says they were very influential with the selectors, coach and even the board. He has also taken a dig at Graeme Smith for appointing Imraan Khan as the president of some provincial cricket union at Kwa Zulu Natal. He has also said Smith got the job as the director of SA Cricket without any interview.

So not for the first time has a player in South African cricket alleged the white players for their influence and bias especially against players of color.

How much truth is in his statement? Did he actually deserve a chance ahead of the likes of other bowlers SA had during that time on merit? Who are the 5 senior white players is he referring to?

I think Graeme Smith is a pretty obvious one here, along with Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Shaun Pollock. The fifth one could be Justin Kemp or Andre Nel. Gibbs wasn't known to be a well liked guy in the dressing room.

In my opinion, coming out with such statement 14 years later sounds weird and he should have mentioned it after his retirement.

What do you guys think?
 
Posting the full article here:
==

South African cricket was controlled by 'big five': Roger Telemachus


JOHANNESBURG: Former South African pacer Roger Telemachus has said that during his playing days, his countrys cricket was controlled by a group of white players, who were referred to as 'big five'.

Telemachus offered an explanation of how the term came into being. "That is where the big five started. They control selection. They control everything. They used to go to the coach and say this is how we are going to play. This is where we gave the name to these players," Telemachus said at the Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) hearings on Thursday.

Without revealing the name of the players, Telemachus said to Advocate Sandile July, "This is a group of white players."

Telemachus claimed that the group was partly responsible for him not getting a match at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. He also indicated there was political interference in selection.

"A week before the semi-final I was told I will definitely be playing the semifinal. I asked the coach what was the reason and he said one of our fast bowlers has a niggle. But before that, Makhaya Ntini was out of form and the day before, apparently, they got an email from CSA that the ANC (African National Congress) are putting pressure on them because there are no black African cricketers in the team."

Telemachus further said, "That is the reason why the coach came to me and said, 'Sorry, this is the story, unfortunately you can't play.' He showed me the mail. My question to them was why can't Roger Telemachus and Makhaya Ntini play together in the semifinal? No answers, nothing happened. I was left out. I called my family and told them I am going to play and they should watch out for me. And then I was told I wouldn't play. I almost got physical with that coach (Mickey Arthur). The assistant coach had to stop me. I was furious, I was hurt."

In the semi-final against Australia, neither Telemachus nor Ntini featured in the match which South Africa lost by seven wickets.

The SJN hearings aim to provide a platform for those involved in cricket to recount incidents of racial discrimination in the past and look for incidents of bias in the game now. The hearings are due to run for the next two weeks after which ombudsman Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza will produce a report and recommendations to CSA.

Telemachus played 37 ODIs and three T20Is over nine years.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/cricket/2021/jul/16/south-african-cricket-was-controlled-by-big-five-roger-telemachus-2331131.html
 
Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced today that following a lengthy disciplinary process involving Ms Kugandrie Govender (the currently suspended Chief Commercial Officer) this matter has now been concluded with the following outcomes and sanction:

The Chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal, Advocate Terry Motau SC, imposed a sanction of immediate dismissal, having regard inter alia to the seriousness of Ms Govender’s misconduct, the breach of trust and including the fact that a continued working relationship between Ms Govender and CSA would no longer be possible.

Ms Govender’s employment has been terminated with immediate effect.

The case against Ms Govender was the last of the pending disciplinary matters that CSA had to conclude. CSA views the finalisation of this disciplinary matter as critical towards the stabilisation of the commercial business unit. The fact that the matter has been concluded is also a necessary step towards ensuring that CSA enters a new trajectory of firmly focusing on serving the game of cricket and repositioning its relationship with its stakeholders and partners.
 
JOHANNESBURG: The Cricket South Africa (CSA) Social Justice and Nation Building Project (SJN) hearings are set to resume on Monday, 23 August 2021. This follows a recess to allow persons or organizations who were mentioned adversely during the course of the hearings to formally respond to allegations levelled against them

The Office of the Transformation Ombudsman (OTO) has however received requests from various parties to extend the deadline that has been set to allow for proper preparedness for responses.

Consequently, the Transformation Ombudsman, Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza SC, formally invites those who were mentioned adversely to forward short written submissions stating whether or not they require an extension of time in order to respond, and if so, the reasons for requesting additional time.

“I also call upon Werksmans, the Legal Resource to the OTO, who are acting as Evidence Leaders in the hearings to file their own written submissions either in reaction to such requests for postponement as may be requested, or merely to express their views on why the hearings should proceed as scheduled on 23 August 2021,” said the Transformation Ombudsman, Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza SC.

“On Monday, 23 August 2021, both parties – those representing persons or organisations who were mentioned to their detriment and the Evidence Leaders must prepare to present oral arguments in support of their stance on whether there should be an extension of time,” added Advocate Ntsebeza SC.

The Transformation Ombudsman will consider both written and oral submissions and thereafter decide on the resumption of the hearings.

The deadline for the submission is Thursday, 19 August 2021.
 
Cricket South Africa has noted media reports about the resignation of Proteas Assistant Coach, Enoch Nkwe.

Nkwe has indeed signalled an intention to resign, and this matter is being considered by the Board. The Chairperson and the Acting CEO are currently engaging with Nkwe about his future.

A further statement will be made when these consultations have been concluded.
 
Cricket South Africa (CSA) regrets to announce the decision by Enoch Nkwe to leave his position as the Assistant Coach of the Proteas men’s team, a position he held since December 2019. Enoch was also briefly the Team Director.

While every effort was made to retain his services, Enoch has decided to focus on personal growth and professional development. This affords him the opportunity to return to the system in the future with a better sense of himself and being certain of the direction of his career. He has emphasised his unwavering commitment to SA cricket and especially the men’s team as they embark on a key tour to Sri Lanka in preparation for the T20 World Cup in October.

The Board engaged with Enoch to explore whether there was a way to retain his services but this was unsuccessful. During these discussions he also raised concerns about the functioning and culture of the team environment.

The Board will be taking the necessary steps to investigate and address the issues raised by Enoch. We will not be commenting further on this until the process has been completed.

Enoch has been involved in SA cricket for close to two decades both as a player and coach, playing for Gauteng and Highveld Lions and later joining the Gauteng Lions as Head Coach.

The Board has mandated the Acting CEO, Pholetsi Moseki to oversee a process to urgently find a replacement for Enoch ahead of the T20 World Cup.

CSA Board Chair, Lawson Naidoo says, “It is deeply disappointing to lose someone of Enoch’s calibre at this time, but we fully understand and respect his decision. We are comforted by the fact that he remains committed to SA cricket, and hope that he will be back serving the game that we all love. He has been and continues to be an inspiration to young cricketers and coaches.”
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">CSA opening a can of worms for themselves with their Twitter and Instagram. <br>Whoever’s running those accounts needs a talking too.</p>— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaleSteyn62/status/1449277644953079808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

And this is the reason:

a7bad2ef-a713-480f-a61e-a6d1585b0264.jpg
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">CSA now blocked the comments section.<br><br>Here’s some advice.<br>Do the right thing.<br>Delete the post and add all the men involved, save yourself the embarrassment and ridicule.</p>— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaleSteyn62/status/1449280128379494400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations to all the South Africans who competed in and claimed victory in the 2021 IPL Final with Chennai Super Kings. Notably Faf du Plessis who put in a Man of the match performance <a href="https://t.co/rC9QaIZ90r">pic.twitter.com/rC9QaIZ90r</a></p>— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialCSA/status/1449326386364231685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) is pleased to announce the arrival of the Netherlands national cricket team to South Africa’s shores for a three-match ODI series against the Proteas. The series is set to commence on Friday, 26 November with the second match due to be played on Sunday, 28 November and the last encounter taking place on Wednesday, 1 December.

South Africa and Netherlands share a long history of cricket happenstance and upsets. Between 2007 and 2014, South Africa played four ODIs and one T20I against the Netherlands and won them all. Three of the ODIs were in World Cups, while the T20I was in the T20 World Cup.

At the end of the 1994 tour to England, South Africa lost an unofficial match to the Netherlands on their turf. The tour will be the first time that these two teams will have met in South Africa.

“CSA is delighted to welcome the Netherlands team to South Africa. This tour will kick start an incredibly exciting international summer of cricket for the Proteas and CSA. The Netherlands brings an exciting flavour to the world game, and we look forward to an exciting series,” said Graeme Smith, CSA Director of Cricket.

“This series is a culmination of our numerous engagements with our Royal Dutch Cricket Association equivalents. The mutual rapport that we both enjoy has stood the test of time, for which CSA is eternally grateful. We are indeed pleased that our two sides will for the first time in history, be locking horns on South Africa’s soil. This tour is also an affirmation that cricket in South is back in full flight after the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Pholetsi Moseki, CSA Acting Chief Executive Officer.

The series will accrue Cricket World Cup Super League (CWCSL) points for the 50-over Cricket World Cup in 2023.

Schedule: Netherlands team’s tour to South Africa

Friday, 26 November at 10:00 SAST:

1st ODI (CWCSL) South Africa v Netherlands, SuperSport Park, Centurion

Sunday, 28 November at 10:00 SAST:

2nd ODI (CWCSL) South Africa v Netherlands, SuperSport Park, Centurion

Wednesday, 1 December at 10:00 SAST

3rd ODI (CWCSL) South Africa v Netherlands, SuperSport Park, Centurion
 
Wayne Parnell and Khaya Zondo make a return to the Proteas One-Day International (ODI) set up ahead of the Betway ODI series against the Netherlands from 26 November to 01 December. It is the first time that visitors play a full international series against the Proteas in South Africa.


Two fixtures will take place at SuperSport Park in Centurion, with the last moving to the Imperial Wanderers and forms part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, the qualification tournament for the 2023 ICC World Cup. South Africa is currently ninth on the log.


Keshav Maharaj will lead the squad of 16 while white-ball captain, Temba Bavuma and several other players are rested, following a high workload and back-to-back bubbles on national duty and in various international T20 competitions.


Parnell’s last appearance for the national team was against Pakistan in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy in England, while Zondo’s was in 2018 against Zimbabwe in Paarl.


Zubayr Hamza and Ryan Rickelton receive maiden call-ups to the ODI squad, following consistently impressive performances in the Cricket South Africa (CSA) domestic scene.


Other returns to the team include Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne, Daryn Dupavillon and Sisanda Magala, along with ICC T20 World Cup squad members Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo and Lizaad Williams.


CSA Convenor of Selectors, Victor Mpitsang said:


“The National Selection Panel and I are excited to give this group of exciting cricketers a good go. These selections are part of our strategy to give opportunities and reward the good work of players in our provincial system.


“We do not take this historic tour of the Netherlands to our shores lightly. We are keen to showcase the talent that South Africa has and to give opportunities to players who have been patient for a long time and are raring to go.


“On behalf of the Panel, I would like to wish Keshav Maharaj, coach, Mark Boucher and the team all of the very best as they look to make inroads into the team’s campaign to qualify for the 2023 ICC World Cup.”


Proteas ODI squad vs Netherlands

Keshav Maharaj (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Daryn Dupavillon (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Zubayr Hamza (Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras), Reeza Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Sisanda Magala (Imperial Lions), Janneman Malan (Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dwaine Pretorius (North West Dragons), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Wayne Parnell (Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras), Ryan Rickelton (Imperial Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Kyle Verreynne (wicket-keeper, Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras), Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans), Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).


Netherlands tour to South Africa schedule

Friday, 26 November at 10:00 SAST:
1st ODI (CWCSL) South Africa v Netherlands, SuperSport Park, Centurion

Sunday, 28 November at 10:00 SAST:
2nd ODI (CWCSL) South Africa v Netherlands, SuperSport Park, Centurion

Wednesday, 1 December at 10:00 SAST
3rd ODI (CWCSL) South Africa v Netherlands, Imperial Wanderers, Johannesburg
 
Wayne Parnell's selection is big news because it shows that cricket South Africa are willing to include ex-Kolpak players back in the national set up.

This could mean potential come backs for Kyle Abbott, Duane Olivier, Simon Harmer, Rilee Rossouw and the likes.

Parnell has been in terrific form with both bat and ball and this is well deserved.

Also very happy to see Zubayr Hamza back in the side. He has scored loads of runs at domestic level to earn his place back in the side. Khaya Zondo recently got a double hundred and i think that helped his cause.
 
sam_ahm said:
Wayne Parnell's selection is big news because it shows that cricket South Africa are willing to include ex-Kolpak players back in the national set up.

This could mean potential come backs for Kyle Abbott, Duane Olivier, Simon Harmer, Rilee Rossouw and the likes.

Parnell has been in terrific form with both bat and ball and this is well deserved.

Also very happy to see Zubayr Hamza back in the side. He has scored loads of runs at domestic level to earn his place back in the side. Khaya Zondo recently got a double hundred and i think that helped his cause.
Click to expand...

Abbott probably too old to make a comeback. For the others there's still a chance if they can mend fences with CSA.

Reason being that when Parnell took the Kolpak deal, he wasn't exactly the a key proponent South Africa's pace attack. He wasn't even playing for South Africa at that time. But Olivier was an integral element of their test bowling attack, while Rossouw was seen as the next major South African batting star. Despite numerous failures at the beginning of his international career, he was given the long rope. And when he decided to take the Kolpak deal CSA were understandably angered.

Personally speaking, I think there's a good chance of seeing Olivier in South African colors again. If they have an Asia tour in the near future they might consider bringing back Harmer. But Rossouw and Abbott seem like improbable future selections.
 
sam_ahm said:
Wayne Parnell's selection is big news because it shows that cricket South Africa are willing to include ex-Kolpak players back in the national set up.

This could mean potential come backs for Kyle Abbott, Duane Olivier, Simon Harmer, Rilee Rossouw and the likes.

Parnell has been in terrific form with both bat and ball and this is well deserved.

Also very happy to see Zubayr Hamza back in the side. He has scored loads of runs at domestic level to earn his place back in the side. Khaya Zondo recently got a double hundred and i think that helped his cause.
Click to expand...

Simon Harmer will make a good pair with Maharaj in tests.
 
JOHANNESBURG: Pieter Malan will lead the 14-member South Africa A, four-day squad that will take on India A in a three-match series from 23 November to 09 December in Bloemfontein.



Cricket South Africa (CSA) is pleased to announce the below players in the squad:



Pieter Malan (captain, GbetsRocks), Sarel Erwee (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dominic Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Raynard van Tonder (ITEC Knights), Sinethemba Qeshile (Gbets Warriors), Senuran Muthusammy (North West Dragons), Marco Jansen (Gbets Warriors), Migael Pretorius (ITEC Knights), Beuran Hendricks (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Lutho Sipamla (Imperial Lions), Glenton Stuurman (Gbets Warriors), George Linde (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dophins), Tony de Zorzi (Six Gun Grill Western Province).



CSA Convenor of Selectors, Victor Mpitsang said:



“Test cricket remains one of CSA’s key focus areas, along with ensuring that the format continues to thrive and hold relevance in our country. It is therefore vital that a steady stream of talent continues to emerge from our High Performance programme.



“The COVID-19 pandemic saw the disruption of the South Africa A team’s fixtures and CSA is pleased to see the return of content for this programme. We are looking forward to more tours for this team in particular, as the A Team programme is a crucial one to CSA’s overall pipeline strategy.



“The senior South Africa and India teams will be clashing this summer here at home, so this is an ideal opportunity for players with Proteas ambitions to put their hands up and make a case for themselves.



“The Panel and I wish Pieter and coach, Malibongwe Maketa everything of the best ahead of this very important series.”





INDIA A TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA ITINERARY



November 2021

Tue 23 – Fri 26 1st Four-Day Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein

Mon 29 – Thu 02 2nd Four-Day Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein



December 2021

Mon 06 – Thu 09 3rd Four-Day Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
 
South African spinner Sean Whitehead took all 10 wickets in an innings of a first-class match as his South Western Districts side beat Eastern Storm.

Slow left-armer Whitehead, 24, claimed a stunning 10-36 off 12.1 overs as Eastern Storm were bowled out for 65.

He bowled two batters, removed three lbw, had four caught and also claimed a caught and bowled.

Whitehead finished with match figures of 15-100 after taking 5-64 in Eastern Storm's first innings.


The all-rounder also scored 66 and 49 at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn.

Eastern Storm led by eight runs after the first innings, before South Western Districts recovered from 5-3 to make 193 and set the visitors 186 to win.

They could not get close as Whitehead, who bowled all 12.1 overs in one spell from the second over onwards, took regular wickets as Eastern Storm were dismissed in just 25.1 overs.

Whitehead's figures are the second best in the history of domestic cricket in South Africa, after leg-spinner Bert Vogler, who took 10-26 for Eastern Province against Griqualand West in 1906.

Whitehead represented South Africa at the 2016 Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh.

BBC
 
https://www.bcci.tv/articles/2021/news/156754/south-africa-a-vs-india-a-1st-four-day-game-day-1-report

South Africa A dominated the proceedings with the bat, with captain Pieter Malan (157*) and Tony de Zorzi (117) scoring hundreds, while India A toiled hard with the ball as the hosts ended Day 1 of the first four-day game at 343/3 in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

After captain Priyank Panchal won the toss and put South Africa A into bat, Navdeep Saini and Arzan Nagwaswalla landed early blows. While Saini, celebrating his birthday, dismissed Sarel Erwee for a duck in the first over, Nagwaswalla got Raynard van Tonder out three overs later to reduce South Africa A to 2/14.

Malan and de Zorzi then joined forces and denied India A any immediate success despite the toil. The pair put on a solid show with the bat and added 217 runs together.

India A was then provided with a much-needed breakthrough as speedster Umran Malik disturbed the timber to dismiss de Zorzi for 117.

Jason Smith replaced de Zorzi in the middle. Meanwhile, South Africa A captain Malan continued his good work with the bat and moved past 150-run mark and went on to add another solid partnership – 112* runs – with Smith, who scored an unbeaten 51 at stumps.

Brief Scores: South Africa A 343/3 (Pieter Malan 157*, Tony de Zorzi 117; Umran Malik 1/43, Navdeep Saini 1/57, Arzan Nagwaswalla 1/58) vs India A
Click to expand...
 
MAHARAJ TO LEAD THE PROTEAS VS NETHERLANDS AS PARNELL AND ZONDO MAKE A RETURN

Wednesday, 10 November 2021

Zubayr Hamza and Ryan Rickelton receive maiden ODI call-ups

JOHANNESBURG: Wayne Parnell and Khaya Zondo make a return to the Proteas One-Day International (ODI) set up ahead of the Betway ODI series against the Netherlands from 26 November to 01 December. It is the first time that visitors play a full international series against the Proteas in South Africa.

Two fixtures will take place at SuperSport Park in Centurion, with the last moving to the Imperial Wanderers and forms part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, the qualification tournament for the 2023 ICC World Cup. South Africa is currently ninth on the log.

Keshav Maharaj will lead the squad of 16 while white-ball captain, Temba Bavuma and several other players are rested, following a high workload and back-to-back bubbles on national duty and in various international T20 competitions.

Parnell’s last appearance for the national team was against Pakistan in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy in England, while Zondo’s was in 2018 against Zimbabwe in Paarl.

Zubayr Hamza and Ryan Rickelton receive maiden call-ups to the ODI squad, following consistently impressive performances in the Cricket South Africa (CSA) domestic scene.

Other returns to the team include Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne, Daryn Dupavillon and Sisanda Magala, along with ICC T20 World Cup squad members Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo and Lizaad Williams.

CSA Convenor of Selectors, Victor Mpitsang said:

“The National Selection Panel and I are excited to give this group of exciting cricketers a good go. These selections are part of our strategy to give opportunities and reward the good work of players in our provincial system.

“We do not take this historic tour of the Netherlands to our shores lightly. We are keen to showcase the talent that South Africa has and to give opportunities to players who have been patient for a long time and are raring to go.

“On behalf of the Panel, I would like to wish Keshav Maharaj, coach, Mark Boucher and the team all of the very best as they look to make inroads into the team’s campaign to qualify for the 2023 ICC World Cup.”

Proteas ODI squad vs Netherlands

Keshav Maharaj (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Daryn Dupavillon (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Zubayr Hamza (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Reeza Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Sisanda Magala (Imperial Lions), Janneman Malan (GbetsRocks), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dwaine Pretorius (North West Dragons), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Wayne Parnell (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Ryan Rickelton (Imperial Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Kyle Verreynne (wicket-keeper, Six Gun Grill Western Province), Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans), Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).
 
Cricket South Africa said on Wednesday that fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has dropped out of its three-match One Day International series against the Netherlands after testing positive for COVID-19.

Fellow bowler Lizaad Williams is also out because of a rib muscle strain with Junior Dala called up to the squad as a replacement, a statement added.

South Africa is already weakened for its first ODI series against the Dutch after resting six first-choice players involved in the T20 World Cup 2021 earlier this month, including captain Temba Bavuma.

Also not taking part are Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada and Rassie van der Dussen. The team is being captained by Keshav Maharaj.

The first ODI is on Friday at Centurion, followed by matches on Sunday and on December 1.

https://indianexpress.com/article/s...ies-positive-covid-19-test-ruled-out-7639092/
 
BLOEMFONTEIN: South Africa A posted an emphatic first innings total, declaring after surpassing the 500-run mark before India A closed out day two of their opening four-day encounter on 125 / 1 at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, still trailing by 384 runs

Resuming play on 343 / 3 with in-form batters, Pieter Malan (163) and Jason Smith (52) at the crease, the South African side lost two quick wickets in the morning after adding seven runs to the overnight score with both men falling to Navdeep Saini (2 - 67) and Arzan Nagwaswalla (2 - 75) respectively.

Sinethemba Qeshile and George Linde (51 off 80 balls; 9 fours) continued where their predecessors left off at the crease, combining well for a 102-run partnership for the sixth wicket as Qeshile remained unbeaten on an impressive 82 off 112 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes) as SA A declared on 509 / 7.

Tasked with an uphill battle in their first innings response, the subcontinent visitors began brightly out in the middle, recording 80 runs for the opening stand before Lutho Sipamla (1 - 28) removed Prithvi Shaw (48).

Captain, Priyank Panchal (45*), alongside Abhimanyu Easwaran (27*) guided India A to within 384 runs of their opponent’s first innings score at stumps, with two days left to play.

Latest Score:

India A trail South Africa A by 384 runs

South Africa A: 509 / 7dec after 135.3 overs; P. Malan 163 (282), T. de Zorzi 117 (186); Navdeep Saini 2 – 67, Arzan Nagwaswalla 2 – 75

India A: 125 / 1 after 33 overs; P. Shaw 48 (45), P. Panchal 45* (99); L. Sipamla 1 - 28, B. Hendricks 0 - 18
 
BLOEMFONTEIN: In a weather-interrupted day three, the India A batters made serious inroads into their first innings deficit against South Africa A in two side’s first of three four-day matches hosted at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.

Overnight batters Abhimanyu Easwaran and his skipper Priyank Panchal began where they left off on day two, as the pair continued their dominance at the crease, in favourable conditions, to add 142 runs for the second wicket to keep the visiting side in the game.

Panchal eventually fell to spinner George Linde (2 – 32) for a well-played 96 off 171 balls (14 fours), while Easwaran went a step further to bring up a deserved century, scoring 103 off 209 deliveries (16 fours) before the right-hander became Lutho Sipamla’s (2 – 73) second scalp of the innings.

Although India A lost Hanuma Vihari (25), Bab Aparajith (19*) and wicket-keeper batter Upendra Yadav (5*) navigated their side to stumps on 308 / 4, still 201 runs behind with one day remaining.

The action concludes on Friday, 26 November, with the second unofficial Test scheduled to start a day earlier on Tuesday, 30 November.
 
TSHWANE: Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond (KNCB) have mutually agreed to defer the three-match Betway One-Day International (ODI) series which began on Friday.

The decision comes as a result of mounting anxiety and concern on the side of the visiting team around travel bans and restrictions on flights from South Africa being imposed by several countries around the world including the United Kingdom (UK), European Union (EU) and the United States of America (USA). These actions are as a result of Thursday’s announcement by the National Department of Health of South Africa of a new variant of the COVID-19 virus discovered in the country.


CSA Acting CEO, Mr Pholetsi Moseki said:

“We are disappointed by the unfortunate situation we find ourselves in, but the comfort of all visiting teams must always be paramount. The mental well-being of players is one of CSA’s top priorities, and we respect our visitors’ position and point of view.

“CSA and KNCB will get into discussions around possibly rescheduling the tour within this cycle of the ICC Future Tours Programme ending in 2023.”


Chairman of the KNCB Jurgen Delfos said:

“We are saddened by these circumstances, but are grateful to Cricket South Africa for their assistance and understanding of our team’s position. It must be made clear that the concerns are strictly over travel issues and how soon the team can get home and have nothing to do with the integrity of the Bio-Secure Environment (BSE) that CSA has successfully hosted. Our team has been pleased with every aspect of the organisation of the tour and have been well treated by our hosts.

“We have been looking forward to this series against the Proteas for some time and are keen on returning to South Africa in the near future.”

The Netherlands team will remain in the BSE hotel until their return flights have been finalised with the support of key CSA BSE staff.
 
Perhaps SA needs to consider a neutral venue in the short term. There is unfortunately now a lot of international uncertainty and worry around Covid with regards to Southern Africa being driven by the media, and rightly or wrongly (probably wrongly) I can't see this changing for at least the duration of the current season.
 
James said:
Perhaps SA needs to consider a neutral venue in the short term. There is unfortunately now a lot of international uncertainty and worry around Covid with regards to Southern Africa being driven by the media, and rightly or wrongly (probably wrongly) I can't see this changing for at least the duration of the current season.
Click to expand...

It will be hard for them to play their home series in the UAE, which is the most practical option in the short-term. Given Australia and New Zealand's hard quarantine laws and reluctance to allow foreigners, doubt there are any realistic options in the Southern Hemisphere.

Perhaps they can defer the home series against India till June and play it in England.
 
Looks like a fellow ICC member will now know what it was like for the PCB and Pakistani Cricket in the last decade
 
BLOEMFONTEIN: The South African A side are eager for an improved performance with ball in hand when they take on their counterparts India A in the second four-day match at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

The first contest between the two sides, that feature their nation’s best cricketers who are knocking on their national team’s door, ended in a draw after a combination of inclement weather and batter-friendly conditions scuppered any chance of either side taking the game away.

South Africa declared on 509 / 7 in their first innings following an impressive batting display with Pieter Malan (163) and Tony de Zorzi (117) starring before the visitors delivered an imposing performance of their own with the bat, recording a total of 308 / 4 as the conditions cut their innings short.

SA A head coach, Malibongwe Maketa was pleased with what he saw in the first match, stating:

“It was a decent start in terms of the series,” Maketa noted. “Losing the toss and being sent to bat, being two (wickets) down and the way we recovered was very positive.

“Well done to Pieter Malan on a good innings in terms of what we needed at the time as a team and gladly supported by (Sinethemba) Qeshile and Jason Smith, guys who came in and really batted well.

“We pride ourselves on partnerships, we got those, and it is something we want to build on.

“When it comes to the bowling, unfortunately we weren’t that good at the start, but we pulled it back quite nicely in terms of our control of line and length, which is encouraging and something we want to build on going forward into the next game,” he added.

Looking ahead to the all-important second encounter, Coach Maketa believes it will be vital for his team to remain intent on taking 20 wickets during the match, despite challenging conditions, to get the desired result.

“Going forward, it is important for us to stay positive in terms of looking to take 20 wickets,” he began.

“We’ve seen that it is not going to be easy, we knew coming in it was not going to be easy to take 20 wickets, so when it comes to our bowling attack, we are really going to be hard on ourselves in terms of our skillset and executing our disciplines to be able to take the 20 wickets.

“Without taking anything for granted, the batters will need to, again, put us in a position where we are able to set positive fields for long periods of time to be able to take 20 wickets.

“In saying all that, we still need to bat well, and we are looking to that challenge. It’s a good Indian team and the guys will be tested. A few guys are coming in from the Indian side, so we are looking forward to that as well,” he concluded.


South Africa A squad to play India A:

Pieter Malan (captain, GbetsRocks), Sarel Erwee (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Edward Moore (Gbets Warriors), Raynard van Tonder (ITEC Knights), Sinethemba Qeshile (Gbets Warriors), Senuran Muthusamy (North West Dragons), Marco Jansen (Gbets Warriors), Migael Pretorius (ITEC Knights), Beuran Hendricks (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Lutho Sipamla (Imperial Lions), Glenton Stuurman (Gbets Warriors), George Linde (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tony de Zorzi (Six Gun Grill Western Province).

India A squad touring South Africa:

Priyank Panchal (Captain), Prithvi Shaw, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, Baba Aparajith, Upendra Yadav (wicketkeeper), K Gowtham, Rahul Chahar, Saurabh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Umran Malik, Ishan Porel, Arzan Nagwaswalla


India A Tour to South Africa Itinerary:

November 2021

Tue 30 – Fri 03 2nd Four-Day Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein

December 2021

Mon 06 – Thu 09 3rd Four-Day Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
 
It always surprises me how SA keeps producing high class cricketers despite all their issues and restrictions.
 
The Proteas men’s team has been part of no less than eight international cricket BSEs in total - these have ranged from home tours against England, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and most recently the Netherlands, to away tours to Pakistan, West Indies, Ireland, Sri Lanka and the ICC T20 World Cup in the United Arad Emirates (UAE) and Oman.

According to the CSA’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shuaib Manjra: “CSA has instituted world class standards and measures to ensure that all players, staff and officials are protected within this environment. Our main focus was to safeguard the cricket biosphere by managing strict entry standards and limited movement outside of its cordon.”

Dr Manjra has emphasised that the BSE has met the highest standards set by national government and CSA is continuously looking at ensuring that the management of the BSE is second to none in the world.

“What we have implemented at our BSE is a cordon sanitaire which offers full and continuous protection to all individuals who respect and abide by our very demanding guidelines and rules”, added Dr Manjra.

“Playing cricket in a BSE was a massive challenge for everyone involved in the game,” commented Proteas white-ball captain, Temba Bavuma. “Everything changed, from the length of our stays in hotels, to how we train and play. We weren’t even allowed to hi-five or hug each other when we celebrated wickets – that part was easier to remember for some, more than others,” he chuckled.

“CSA has to be commended for the way that they have gone about the BSEs,” he continued. “It hasn’t been an easy year for us all. Being confined to a hotel room and being restricted from leaving the hotel and having the choice – in most places away from home – between your room and the team room and little access outside the hotel takes its toll, particularly for the all-format playing members of the team and management.

“I’m confident that our BSEs are of the highest safety standards and the protocols are set not only with the everyone’s physical well-being, but mental health in mind,” Bavuma concluded.

Proteas Test captain, Dean Elgar echoed Bavuma’s sentiments, saying:

“It’s hard to believe that we’ve been working in these BSE conditions for a year now, but anyone who has been affected, either directly or indirectly by the COVID-19 virus, knows that this is a necessity if we want to continue playing cricket.

“It takes a toll on a player mentally and yet this team continues to produce good results and make progress – that’s something that I personally don’t think is being spoken about enough.

“The measures that have been put in place and the hotels have been chosen take into account the teams’ physical and mental health needs. We don’t know how much longer we’ll be operating like this, but it’s gratifying to know that when tours come around the health and safety of all involved is top priority,” Elgar concluded.

Chairperson of the CSA Board, Lawson Naidoo commended the resilience and fortitude of the Proteas, saying

“The Proteas have endured difficult BSE conditions occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet their hunger to play the game and represent their country triumphed over all the discomfort. CSA is proud to have athletes of this calibre; those who are readily prepared to put the sport first. We accordingly thank the Proteas for their exemplary zeal and appreciate their sacrifices.”
 
BLOEMFONTEIN: Youngster Marco Jansen produced a fine all-round performance for South Africa A against India A on day two of the second unofficial Test to keep the home side in front by 99 runs at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.

After resuming the day on 233 / 7 with Jansen and Lutho Sipamla (3*) at the crease, the SA A side managed to add 64 runs on their overnight score with Jansen leading the charge, bringing up his fifth First-Class half-century to help the hosts to 297 all out, helped by the last batter-in, Glenton Stuurman (27).

The tall Gbets Warriors all-rounder raised his bat for an unbeaten 70* off 123 runs to end as the standout batter for his side, while Ishan Porel (3 – 49) and Navdeep Saini (3 – 67) were the protagonist with the ball for India A, picking up three scalps each.

In reply, the visitors made a positive start, with their openers Prithvi Shaw (42) and Priyank Panchal (24) combining for a first-wicket, 50-run stand before Stuurman struck gold in the 12th over, taking two wickets in as many balls to leave the away side on 57 / 2.

Despite going on to lose Shaw and Baba Aparajith (0) in a relatively short amount of time, Hanuma Vihari (45*) and wicket-keeper batter, Ishan Kishan (49) helped India A regain their composure at the crease, adding 78 runs for the fifth wicket.

That stand was followed by another important partnership for the subcontinent outfit, with Vihari playing the anchoring role while his partner Sarfaraz Khan (30*) was the aggressor as India A reached stumps on 198 / 5, still 99 runs behind.

Jansen picked up the last two wickets to fall on the day, adding figures of 2 / 20 to his impressive display with the bat.



Latest Score –

India A trail South Africa A by 99 runs

South Africa A: 297 / 10 after 105.5 overs; M. Jansen 70* (123), G. Linde 44 (53); I. Porel 3 – 49, N. Saini 3- 67

India A: 198 / 5 after 59 overs; I. Kishan 49 (71), H. Vihari 45* (146); M. Jansen 2 – 20, G. Stuurman 2 – 46
 
India A bowling unit once again put on an impressive show before bad light cut short the play on Day 3 of the second four-day game in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

While Ishan Porel scalped two wickets, Saurabh Kumar and Baba Aparajith picked a wicket each as India A reduced South Africa A to 116/5.

After securing a 21-run lead in the first innings, South Africa A were off to a solid start as Sarel Erwee and captain Pieter Malan put on a 69-run stand before Saurabh Kumar dismissed the former for 41.

Although Malan and Raynard van Tonder added 29 runs together, India A derailed the South Africa A innings, scalping four wickets in space of 17 runs. While Malan was run-out, Zubayr Hamza was dismissed by Baba Aparajith.

Porel then struck twice in quick succession, getting van Tonder and Sinethemba Qeshile out before bad light stopped play.

Earlier, India A, who resumed the proceedings on Day 3 at 198/5, added 78 runs to their overnight score before being all-out for 276.

Hanuma Vihari, who was unbeaten on 45 on Day 2, brought up a fine half-century. But the right-hander departed soon after as Marco Jansen struck. Sarfaraz Khan, meanwhile, put on a fine show with the bat and went on to add a brisk 41-run stand with Saurabh Kumar to push India A past 250.

While Saurabh got out for 23, Sarfaraz, who scored an unbeaten 71 with the help of 8 fours and 2 sixes to be a top scorer for the team, took India A to 276.

Brief Scores: South Africa A 297 all out and 116/5 (Sarel Erwee 41, Raynard van Tonder 33; Ishan Porel 2/17) lead India A 276 all out (Sarfaraz Khan 71*, Hanuma Vihari 54; Glenton Stuurman 4/48) by 137 runs.
 
Half-centuries from Tony de Zorzi, Khaya Zondo and a hard-fought 75 off 180 balls (8 fours) from opener, Sarel Erwee helped South Africa A to a competitive score at stumps on day one of the final four-day clash against India A at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Monday.

The home side came through a tricky start with the help of a crucial stand between Erwee and De Zorzi (58 off 104 balls; 8 fours), before a key middle-order knock from Khaya Zondo (56 off 98 balls; 8 fours, 1 six) helped SA A to 249 / 7 after 89 overs.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, South Africa lost inspirational captain, Pieter Malan (0) for no score before Zubayr Hamza (16) departed shortly after to leave the hosts on 44 / 2.

Having lost two partners at the crease, Erwee teamed up with Six Gun Grill Western Province batter, de Zorzi for a 111-run partnership for the third wicket to catapult SA A to 155 / 3 before substitute fielder, Upendra Yadav ran out the latter shortly after reaching his ninth First-Class fifty.

After raising his bat for half-century number 35 in the red-ball format, Erwee soon became the second of three victims to fall to India A’s leading bowler, Navdeep Saini (3 – 42) before the fast bowler removed Senuran Muthusamy for a duck with the home side on 187 / 5.

Zondo and Sinethemba Qeshile (22) then brought up an important 51-run stand for the sixth wicket, with the Hollywoodbets Dolphins batter dispatching eight fours and one six on his way to a fifty before both batters fell late on, leaving Marco Jansen (4*) and Migael Pretorius (1*) at the crease overnight.

Alongside Saini, Saurabh Kumar (2 – 52) and Deepak Chahar (1 – 35) were the other wicket-takers for India A on day one.

Match Drawn

South Africa A: 249 / 7 after 89 overs; S. Erwee 75 (180), T. de Zorzi 58 (104); N. Saini 3 – 42, S. Kumar 2 – 52

India A: Yet to bat
 
In almost a carbon copy of the South Africa A innings, India A ended day two of the third and final four-day clash between the two sides trailing the hosts by 39 runs after a dominant half-century from Ishan Kishan (86* off 141; 12 fours, 1 six) at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

South Africa began the day on 249 / 7 after an eventful opening day that saw Sarel Erwee (75), Tony De Zorzi (58) and Khaya Zondo (56) top-score for the home side. The hosts only managed to add 19 runs to their overnight score following an impressive morning spell from right-arm medium pacer, Deepak Chahar.
The 29-year-old wrapped up the South African innings by taking the remaining three wickets to finish the innings with figures of four for 45 as SA A ended on 268 all out.

In their first innings reply with the bat, the visitors also suffered early setbacks, losing four of their five top batters for 92 runs, including the scalp of Abhimanyu Easwaran for 28 (53).

The rebuild was then launched by captain Hanuma Vihari (63 off 170 balls; 6 fours, 1 six) and wicket-keeper batter, Kishan, with both batters reaching their half-centuries in a vital 115-run partnership for the fifth wicket to help the away team beyond the 200-run mark.

The stand was eventually halted by SA A’s leading bowler on the day, Lutho Sipamla (3 – 63), who trapped Vihari leg-before-wicket in the 71st over.

Kishan then expertly guided India A to the end of the day’s play, despite losing Chahar (10) with the last ball before stumps, with the subcontinent side only 39 runs behind South Africa A with four wickets in hand.

The other wicket-takers for the South Africans were Marco Jansen (1 – 43), Migael Pretorius (1 – 27) and Senuran Muthusamy (1 – 54) as the contest hangs in the balance.

The action in the third unofficial Test continues Wednesday, 08 December with day three streamed live on SuperSport’s YouTube page and on DSTV Now channel 246.

Latest Score – Day 2
India A trails South Africa A by 39 runs
South Africa A: 268 / 10 after 94.5 overs; S. Erwee 75 (180), T. de Zorzi 58 (104); D. Chahar 4 – 45, Navdeep Saini 3 – 51
India A: 229 / 6 after 76.5 overs; I. Kishan 86 (141), H, Vihari 63 (170), L. Sipamla 3 – 63, M. Pretorius 1 – 27
Audio from Senuran Muthusamy on the day’s play is available to download here.
 
A fifth five-wicket haul in red ball cricket from Lutho Sipamla and a magnificent, unbeaten 153-run partnership between Sarel Erwee and Zubayr Hamza put South Africa A in control of proceedings on day three of their third four-day match against India A at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.

Impressive fast bowler, Sipamla (5 – 99) completed his milestone with two wickets in the morning session to help bowl out the visiting side for 276, with a slim 8-run lead after India A resumed play on 229 / 6, still trailing South Africa by 39 runs.

Marco Jansen (3 – 48) claimed the other two wickets for the home side on the day, continuing the imposing form that saw him receive a Test call-up for the Proteas for the tour against India.

Facing a minimal deficit, SA A quickly took the lead in the contest through a solid opening stand between Pieter Malan (27) and Erwee before the former was dismissed by the series’ top-wicket taker, Navdeep Saini (1 – 49).

Incredibly, that wicket was the last to fall for the remainder of the day as Test-capped Hamza joined in-form Erwee at the crease to devastating effect for their opponents.

Erwee went about his work in a patient manner, bringing up his second 50 plus score in the match, reaching 85* off 181 balls, including nine fours and one six, while his partner at the other end, Hamza, was the aggressor for the hosts, reaching his 27th First Class fifty and scoring 78* off 117 deliveries (11 fours)

The pair safely guided the South African side to a commendable 196 / 1, with coach Malibongwe Maketa’s team taking a second innings lead of 188 runs into the final day of the match and the series.

The enthralling last day of play will be streamed live on SuperSport’s YouTube page and on DSTV Now channel 246 on Thursday, 09 December.



Latest Score – Day 3

South Africa A leads India A by 188 runs

South Africa A: 268 & 196 / 1 after 58 overs; S. Erwee 85* (181), Z. Hamza 78* (117); N. Saini 1 – 49, D. Chahar 0 – 12

India A: 276 / 10 after 90.1 overs; I. Kishan 91 (153), H. Vihari 63 (170); L. Sipamla 5 – 99, M. Jansen 3 – 48
 
Zubayr Hamza scored his 27th century in First-Class cricket to propel South Africa A to a competitive second innings score, setting India A a target 304 runs to win before rain brought an end to the day’s play and the series, as the match in Bloemfontein concluded in a draw.

The result at the Mangaung Oval means the unofficial Test series ended in a stalemate after the two sides were inseparable over the three matches played.

Resuming day four in a strong position, on 196 / 1, with top-order batters, Hamza and Sarel Erwee (97 off 215 runs; 10 fours, 1 six) at the crease, SA A continued where they left off. The pair added 25 runs to the overnight total, taking their second wicket stand to an impressive 178 runs before Erwee fell agonizingly close to a deserved hundred.

In another notable partnership, Hamza went one step further than his previous partner to reach the three-figure milestone, combining for a 66-run stand with Tony de Zorzi (33) before India A’s Krishnappa Gowtham (2 – 81) removed the latter to pick up his second scalp of the morning to leave the hosts on 287 / 3.
With a commanding lead on the scoreboard, SA A declared soon after surpassing the 300-run mark as Hamza finished the innings unbeaten on 125* off 192 deliveries (15 fours) with the best part of two sessions remaining for the home side to attempt to win the game.

Despite making a solid start to the 304-run chase, India A were pegged back on three occasions by the SA A bowlers, with Senuran Muthusamy (1 – 8), Migael Pretorius (1 – 16) and Lutho Sipamla (1 – 30) picking up wickets to give the home side a glimpse of gaining a result.

Those hopes were dashed soon after the tea break when the heavens opened over the Bloemfontein stadium, with India A stranded on 90 / 3, still 214 runs short of the target as the two captains shook hands to confirm the drawn match.

At the end of the game, South African duo of Sipamla and Erwee were awarded the Player of the Match and Player of the Series accolades, respectively, after impressive displays for the hosts.

Latest Score – Day 4
Match Drawn
South Africa A: 268 & 311 / 3 dec; Z. Hamza 125* (192), S. Erwee 97 (215); K. Gowtham 2 – 81, N. Saini 1 -49
India A: 276 & 90 / 3 after 17 overs; P. Shaw 38 (34), A. Easwaran 19 (25); S. Muthusamy 1 – 8, L. Sipamla 1 – 30
Audio from SA A captain, Pieter Malan and India A skipper, Hanuma Vihari on day four of the third unofficial Test is available to download here.
 
CSA CONFIRMS RECEIPT OF SJN REPORT

JOHANNESBURG: CSA confirms that the report compiled by the Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) Ombudsman, Adv Dumisa Ntsebeza has been received and is now available on our website. CSA is very pleased to have received the report, which follows the Ombudsman’s important hearings into the causes, nature and extent of racial discrimination and lack of transformation in all cricket structures since unification 30 years ago.

The Ombudsman’s process was initially due to last four months but was later extended to over six months at the Ombudsman’s request. CSA made available extensive legal and other resources to this Ombudsman for this process, including spending more than R7.5 million on the process, despite an initial budget of R5 million.

While the Ombudsman's report commends CSA’s efforts to address the injustices of the past, it highlights that much still needs to be done. It recommends improved internal and confidential grievance procedures and for mediation procedures to be put in place as a means of giving aggrieved players the platform to air their frustrations.

The Ombudsman makes it clear that CSA’s efforts to provide cricketing facilities in remote areas and create opportunities for the disadvantaged to enjoy the game of cricket can only succeed if CSA, the government and other relevant stakeholders “start from scratch” in achieving the goal of making cricket a truly transformed sport in disadvantaged areas.

He also raises concerns over an "exclusionary culture" in certain incidents in the past when it came to selection of Black players.

He has called on CSA to revisit the match fee system, while a lack of sensitivity and understanding of the racist undertones of comments made by former players was also highlighted.

Furthermore, it was found that work has to be done in rolling out recreational projects that educate players on the diverse cultures and languages that exist within the team and that will give the team an opportunity to come up with strategies on how the team is going to socially integrate.

The report found that race played no part in the match fixing investigation and the Ombudsman could not find any evidence supporting the allegation that Black players were targeted during the investigation.

The Ombudsman finds that the appointments of Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher were flawed from a procedural perspective.

CSA’s Board agrees wholeheartedly that the issues facing cricket “are a complex interaction of multiple factors stemming from the history of this country and consequent socio-economic factors that prevail today.”

CSA confirms that although the Report is titled an “interim Report”, the Ombudsman has now discharged his mandate and no further report is expected.

As CSA Chairman, Lawson Naidoo said in is closing remarks to the SJN hearings:

“We look forward to the report and will engage with it and its recommendations in order to assist in ensuring that we do indeed move the game of cricket onto a new and different trajectory. We are thus committed to considering the findings and recommendations with an open mind. We will look at the report objectively, having regard to our social justice obligations, and our duties as guardians of the game in the Republic of South Africa.”

The CSA Board thanks the Ombudsman for his insights and recommendations and will engage with the report further in the new year.
 
Graeme Smith, South Africa's director of cricket and former Test captain, has hit back through his lawyer at accusations of racial prejudice contained in a report by an ombudsman. David Becker, former International Cricket Council head of legal and Smith's personal lawyer, issued a statement on Friday in which he disputed findings by Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza, who headed a Social Justice and Nation Building Commission (SJN) to investigate allegations of racial discrimination in South African cricket.

In a report issued on Wednesday, Ntsebeza found that Smith "failed to rebut the presumption of unfair discrimination" in appointing former Test wicketkeeper and long-time team-mate Boucher as head coach of the national team ahead of Enoch Nkwe, a black coach who served briefly as national team director.

"Some of the findings are entirely questionable and without any basis," said Becker, who claimed that lawyers for "various respondents" had raised "material concerns" about the integrity of the SJN process.

"Important parts of the evidence are simply not dealt with in the report," said Becker.

"For example, the ombudsman states that Smith did not explain why he appointed Boucher in his evidence. However, the reasons are clearly addressed by Smith and (former CSA president) Mr (Chris) Nenzani in their affidavits submitted to the SJN."

Ntsebeza also found that Smith's appointment was irregular and that a refusal to report to then chief executive Thabang Moroe, who was later dismissed for misconduct, was evidence of "racial bias against black leadership".

Becker pointed out that Smith did not appoint himself and that his appointment was approved by the national selectors, the entire board of CSA and senior executives of the organisation.

He had worked happily with Moroe's acting successor, who was black, and three black presidents.

Becker did not directly address an accusation of racial bias in the decision when Smith was captain to use star batsman AB de Villiers as wicketkeeper in a Test series in England in 2012, ahead of black reserve wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile.

But Becker said CSA would have to consider "a number of fundamental flaws" in the process of the hearings.

"For instance, how do you make far-reaching and public findings of racial prejudice against certain people and in the same breath say that they are 'tentative', as the ombudsman has done?

"How is CSA expected to implement those findings when the ombudsman has said, by his own admission, that he 'cannot make definitive findings in an instance where the evidence of both the so-called victims and the alleged perpetrators was not tested'?

"Why wasn't the evidence properly tested? The ombudsman had the opportunity to cross examine the witnesses under the terms of reference and didn't take that opportunity," said Becker.

https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/ex-...raeme-smith-rejects-charges-of-racism-2657435
 
JOHANNESBURG: The Board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) met virtually on Saturday to give further consideration to the Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) report.

The Ombudsman’s SJN Report made various “tentative findings” regarding allegations of discrimination and racism. However, the Ombudsman indicated that he was not in a position to make “definite findings” and recommended that a further process be undertaken in this regard. In keeping with this approach, the Board has decided to institute formal enquiries into CSA employees, suppliers or contractors who are implicated by the SJN report. The Board has done so mindful of its duty to treat allegations of racism or discrimination with the utmost seriousness and in a manner that ensures fairness and due process in terms of South Africa’s labour legislation and the Constitution.

The formal inquiries will take place early in the new year. They will include formal inquiries into the conduct of Graeme Smith, the CSA Director of Cricket, and Mark Boucher, the coach of the Proteas Men’s team. The Ombudsman’s Report included findings that Smith and Boucher had acted in a prejudicial or discriminatory manner.

The formal inquiries will be conducted by independent legal professionals. Further details with regards to the inquiries will be announced in due course. Smith and Boucher remain in their positions and will continue to carry out their duties during the India tour.

“CSA respects the SJN process and we are engaging with the report in detail and holistically. We have taken careful cognisance of the recommendation of the Ombudsman, that in appropriate cases, a further process should be instituted to test the evidence and submissions made, and we have decided that this is indeed the appropriate route to follow,” says CSA Board chairperson, Lawson Naidoo.

“We hope this will give implicated parties a fair opportunity to be heard so that finality can be achieved, and any final findings can then be acted on,” he says.

Further steps and action by CSA to transform cricket and act on other applicable recommendations in the SJN report, aligned to the Board’s new strategic framework and pillars of access, inclusion and excellence, are set to be announced in the new year.
 
MenInG said:
JOHANNESBURG: The Board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) met virtually on Saturday to give further consideration to the Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) report.

The Ombudsman’s SJN Report made various “tentative findings” regarding allegations of discrimination and racism. However, the Ombudsman indicated that he was not in a position to make “definite findings” and recommended that a further process be undertaken in this regard. In keeping with this approach, the Board has decided to institute formal enquiries into CSA employees, suppliers or contractors who are implicated by the SJN report. The Board has done so mindful of its duty to treat allegations of racism or discrimination with the utmost seriousness and in a manner that ensures fairness and due process in terms of South Africa’s labour legislation and the Constitution.

The formal inquiries will take place early in the new year. They will include formal inquiries into the conduct of Graeme Smith, the CSA Director of Cricket, and Mark Boucher, the coach of the Proteas Men’s team. The Ombudsman’s Report included findings that Smith and Boucher had acted in a prejudicial or discriminatory manner.

The formal inquiries will be conducted by independent legal professionals. Further details with regards to the inquiries will be announced in due course. Smith and Boucher remain in their positions and will continue to carry out their duties during the India tour.

“CSA respects the SJN process and we are engaging with the report in detail and holistically. We have taken careful cognisance of the recommendation of the Ombudsman, that in appropriate cases, a further process should be instituted to test the evidence and submissions made, and we have decided that this is indeed the appropriate route to follow,” says CSA Board chairperson, Lawson Naidoo.

“We hope this will give implicated parties a fair opportunity to be heard so that finality can be achieved, and any final findings can then be acted on,” he says.

Further steps and action by CSA to transform cricket and act on other applicable recommendations in the SJN report, aligned to the Board’s new strategic framework and pillars of access, inclusion and excellence, are set to be announced in the new year.
Click to expand...

I have not really followed the Smith saga but I did follow everything to do with Boucher and how he still has a job, as head coach no less, is mad and indicative of the still racially dominant group in the country, at least in sports.
 
ST. VINCENT: South Africa under-19s overcame various challenges to secure a dramatic 18-run win over hosts the West Indies in their first Youth One-Day International in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Sunday.

Following a delayed start to the game at the Cumberland Playing Field and losing the toss and being asked to bat first in unfavourable batting conditions, the SA U19s were bowled out for 146 after 34.2 overs before a remarkable fight back from captain George van Heerden’s team led to the home side being skittled for 128.

The triumph gives South Africa a one-nil lead in the three-match series as the youngsters ramp up preparations for the 2022 ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.

Despite a positive start at the crease thanks to a 56-run opening stand from Jade Smith (34) and Ethan Cunningham (30), the SA U19s soon found themselves in trouble on 101 / 5, with West Indian fast bowler, Anderson Mahase (4 / 33) wreaking havoc with four top-order wickets.

South Africa were eventually dismissed before reaching the 150-run mark, with spinner Onaje Amory picking up three wickets of his own to put the host nation in a commanding position at the halfway mark of the 50-over clash.

Faced with an uphill battle, the SA U19s made a bright start with ball in hand, picking up two early wickets through Liam Alder (1 / 40) and Kwena Maphaka (1 / 13) to leave their opponents on 20 / 2 after 7.4 overs.

The momentum shifted once again, this time in the favour of the home team, as two half-century partnerships starring skipper Ackeem Auguste (27) and top-scorer Giovante Depeiza (39) guided the West Indies to 121 / 4, needing 26 runs to win with more than 28 overs in hand

With the SA U19s staring down the barrel, a combination of fielding brilliance and wickets from Dewald Brevis (3 / 36) and Andile Simelane (2 / 5) helped the visitors take an incredible six wickets for just seven runs as the islanders collapsed to 128 all out within 34.3 overs, falling 19 runs short of the target.

After the game, SA U19s head coach, Shukri Conrad said:

“In true South African spirit, there was nothing fancy to this win. It was just a dog fight, and I am helluva proud of the boys.

“It has been a tough week for us, traveling around the world, being given all the protocols etc. It’s a fantastic win for the boys and hopefully, this not only sets up the tour well but for the next month and a bit we are in the Caribbean,” Conrad added.
 
ST. VINCENT: In a low-scoring affair, South Africa under-19s went down by eight wickets against their West Indies counterparts in their second Youth One-Day International in the island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as the squad prepare for the 2022 ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup.

In a contest where the South African side made five changes from the first Youth ODI and battled against the local conditions, the West Indies bowled out the touring for 103 before chasing the score down with eight wickets in hand to take the four-match series to 1-1.

After losing the toss and being made to bat first once again, the SA U19s suffered early setbacks and were left reeling on 12 / 3 in the seventh over.

Despite brief reprieves from all-rounders Andile Simelane (14) and Michael Copeland (24), the youngsters couldn’t rescue the innings and were eventually dismissed soon after reaching three figures.

The West Indies bowling attack shared the wickets amongst themselves, with Jayden Carmichael (3 / 25) taking three, while McKenny Clarke (2 / 12), Johann Layne (2 / 14) and Anderson Mahase (2 / 34) bagged two apiece.

Defending a below-par score, the visitors made the ideal start when Aphiwe Mnyanda ( 1 / 24) removed West Indies opener, Shaqkere Parris without scoring.

Despite the loss of an early wicket, the home side settled at the crease before going onto make quick work of their chase, reaching their target within 23.2 overs.

Asakhe Tsaka (1 / 11) picked up the other wicket for South Africa.

Following the result, head coach Shukri Conrad said: “The game didn’t go our way. We again failed to adapt to the conditions in the first hour, which has proven to be critical. The nine o’clock start has proven to be really tough on the batters.

“We made five changes to our starting line-up from the first Youth ODI to give everybody an opportunity, which is really the aim of this tour; to ensure that everybody gets an opportunity before the World Cup.

“We needed to bat a lot better, it’s a tough wicket but not 100 all out-tough, so we are going to need to come back stronger in Cumberland in two days’ time.

“Full marks to the West Indies. This sets up the series nicely now,” Conrad added.

The third encounter takes place on Thursday, 30 December at Arnos Vale Sports Complex from 09H00 local time (15H00 SA Time).
 
ST VINCENT: Dewald Brevis’ impressive return of three wickets for six runs and Liam Alder’s exploits with bat and ball were the highlights for South Africa under-19s as they dismissed the West Indies under-19s for 106 before clinching a dramatic one-wicket win in their third Youth One-Day International (YODI) on Thursday.

The SA U19s now take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series hosted in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines islands in the Caribbean, as part of the side’s build-up to the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup taking place in the West Indies between 14 January – 05 February 2022.

After losing the toss, South Africa were asked to bowl first at the Cumberland Playing Field, where challenging batting conditions prevailed, leading to a low-scoring thriller.

The home side made a solid start with the bat, featuring contributions from Shaqkere Parris (27) and Teddy Bishop (26) before all-rounder Hardus Coetzer (3 / 25) struck three crucial blows into the West Indies top-order to leave them on 51 / 4 after 13 overs.

Although Bishop and Giovante Depeiza (22) stuck around and added 46 runs for the fifth wicket, Alder (2 / 23) and Asakhe Tsaka (2 / 23) combined to great effect and picked up important middle-order scalps before Brevis took centre stage.

The leg-spinner bamboozled the West Indies tail, claiming three wickets, and removing batters for a duck, one run and a first-ball duck respectively, to restrict the hosts to 106 all out in 38.3 overs.

In their chase, the SA U19s went about their business in quick fashion and despite losing Jade Smith (0) early on, Ethan Cunningham (25) led the charge from the top of the order, scoring three fours and a six alongside Valentine Kitime (13) to help the away side to 50 / 3 in the eighth over.

Despite a fightback for the West Indies, spearheaded by Onaje Amory (4 / 8), South Africa withstood the pressure and through Alder’s unbeaten and explosive 24* off 12 balls, the SA U19s got over the line with more than 31 overs to spare.

The fourth and final encounter takes place at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex in St Vincent on Monday, 03 January with South Africa looking to seal the series.
 
ST. VINCENT: South Africa under-19s head into the fourth and final Youth One-Day International (ODI) encounter against the West Indies juniors on a high following a challenging but fruitful series in the island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as they build up to the 2022 ICC U19 Men’s World Cup hosted in the Caribbean.

South Africa take a 2-1 lead into Monday’s finale, on the back of two narrow victories on either side of an eight-wicket defeat in what has been a tour dominated by the bowlers.

All-rounder Michael Copeland, the most experienced player in the current SA U19s set up – having made his debut in 2019 and played seven Youth ODI matches for the green and gold – highlights the importance of the pre-World Cup tour and the invaluable experience gained from the trip.

“The tour to the West Indies has been a vital component to our preparations going into the World Cup,” the 19-year old stated.

“As a team, we’ve gained tons of experience playing in the conditions we have been exposed to and have learnt to be patient on and off the field as things may not always fall into place when we need them to. But that is uncontrollable, and we have remained focused on what we can control,

“A series-win for us will really set us in good pace going into the World Cup. In saying that, the West Indies team have put up a great fight up to now, which has allowed us to learn some vital lessons along the way as we’ve realised the game is more mentally connected than we think and as the games have been nailbiters until the end.” he added.

The tour to the West Indies is the penultimate step of an almost two-year expedition for the SA U19s’ Class of 2022, and it will culminate in a junior World Cup in the Caribbean from 14 January to 05 February.

The trip to the Caribbean Basin, coupled with strict COVID-19 safety measures in place, is a first for most of the South African youngsters, with some players taking an overseas flight for the first time ever, while others are spending an unusual amount of time away from their families as teenagers.

Factors that Copeland suggests have helped build and foster the togetherness within the squad as they look to seal a momentous, confidence-boosting series victory over the home side ahead of the youth global showpiece.

“The journey getting here has been long; as we’ve taken flights from Johannesburg to Germany, then to Barbados and lastly to Saint Vincent,” Copeland noted.

“Being in a bio-bubble for around two weeks now and being away from our families has been hard for some of us but we have come to realise that we are the closest thing we’ve got to family now, which has brought us even closer together.

“I have great confidence in us as a team going into the last game of the Youth ODI series before the World Cup and hopefully we can make our country proud,” he concluded.
 
South African-born coach Heinrich Malan has been appointed the successor to Graham Ford as Head Coach for Ireland Men and will take up the role in March 2022 (subject to work permit approval) on an initial three-year contract.

Malan, 40, a right-handed middle-order batter and medium-fast bowler, played first-class cricket in South Africa between 2005 and 2009, representing Combined Eastern-Northerns XI and Northern Cricket Union – captaining the latter during the 2006-07 season. He played in teams that featured then-developing international cricketers Neil Wagner and Roloef van der Merwe, as well as future South African international and former CIYMS overseas professional Rassie van der Dussen.

Since finishing his first-class playing career, Malan has gained more than 11 years first-class coaching experience in South Africa and New Zealand. He holds a Level 3 Coaching Certificate from Cricket South Africa, and amongst his more recent roles have seen him take on Assistant Coach and Fielding Lead for the New Zealand Men’s cricket team and Head Coach of New Zealand A. He has also held the batting coach role for the Black Caps.

Domestically in New Zealand, Malan is the current Head of Male Performance and Head Coach of the Auckland Aces (since 2019), after a six-year stint as Head Coach and Program Director at Central District Stags. Prior to this, he was Head Coach of Eastern Cricket Union in South Africa from 2011-2013.

Under Malan’s leadership, his squads have collected numerous titles, including:


2019-20: Auckland Aces – Champions, Provincial 1 Day competition (Ford Trophy)

2018-19: Central District Stags – Champions, T20 Competition (Super Smash)

2018-19: Central District Stags – Cham pions, 1st Class 4-Day Competition (Plunket Shield)

2017-18: Central District Stags – Champions, 1st Class 4-Day Competition (Plunket Shield)

2015-16: Central District Stags – Champions, Provincial 1 Day competition (Ford Trophy)

2014-15: Central District Stags – Champions, Provincial 1 Day competition (Ford Trophy)



Speaking from Auckland, Heinrich Malan said:

“It’s very humbling and a huge honour to be appointed Head Coach of the Ireland Men’s team. We have an exciting squad that has demonstrated that they have the ability to compete with the best players around the world. It is an exciting challenge and something that we, as a family, are really looking forward to.”

“A lot of credit has to go to Graham Ford, who has done a stellar job over the last four years. We have some serious building blocks in place which I believe we can build on going forward.”

“My coaching philosophy has certainly evolved over time and I am very keen to get to know this group of players and staff to collaboratively shape our environment through the way we want to operate on a daily basis. The ‘wheel’ in Irish cricket is turning nicely for the stage it is at, but this point in time is a great opportunity to review what - and how - we are operating to not only grow the wheel, but make that wheel turn quicker.”

“While I came up through the South African system, the opportunity to move to New Zealand in 2013 really enhanced my coaching experiences and created opportunities to progress my coaching career. Hopefully, I can share these experiences and help our players improve and compete consistently across formats. And that is the key – to create greater consistency of performance over the long term.”


Richard Holdsworth, High Performance Director for Cricket Ireland, said:

“We are delighted to have secured Heinrich as men’s Head Coach and look forward to supporting him in taking the international men’s side forward during what will be an extremely busy period for the squad.

“Heinrich has worked in world-class environments at international and domestic levels, and has forged a reputation as an innovative coach with an interest and willingness to do things differently – taking a more holistic view of the game. He is an advocate for sports science, and an intense interest in developing players – particularly in preparing them for the international stage. He has demonstrated a passion for coaching that delves into the feeder systems which lead to sustainable and successful programmes, which is perfectly aligned with what we have been establishing piece-by-piece over recent years. Heinrich is additionally keen to help develop coaches within our Performance system in order to help grow a pathway for Irish coaches to reach senior levels.

“Despite coming from outside the Irish system, Heinrich clearly articulated an understanding of the Irish cricket identity, and is determined to succeed in bonding the senior squad around these ideals, then flow those ideals down the pathway system. He fully understands the development stage we are at as a new Full Member, and is clear on the goals of the organisation – but is committed to working hard on building a skilled and confident squad that is competitive with the world’s leading sides.

“We know that a key focus for us in the short-term is white-ball cricket, and it is the insights, experience and success that Heinrich has garnered in the shorter formats that we believe will benefit our squad greatly.

“We look forward to Heinrich starting in March, with his first task being to prepare the squad for the Zimbabwe tour.”


A full-time coaching support team will be put in place over coming months.
 
Chairperson of the disciplinary hearing into allegations of misconduct against Proteas men’s coach, Mark Boucher, Senior Counsel Advocate Terry Motau (SC), has in a ruling, postponed the matter for the hearing to be held in the week commencing 16 to 20 May 2022.
 
1. The matter was set down on 26 January 2022 and a few days before the matter sat, the
parties agreed that it would not proceed but will use the day to agree on a timetable.

2. Though agreed that the matter should be postponed, the parties were not ad idem on the
dates to which the matter should be postponed. CSA wanted the matter to be postponed
to the week of 7 to 11 March 2022 and Mark Boucher wanted any period of five days
between 10 and 19 May 2022.

3. CSA argued for expediency and a speedy commencement and finalisation of the
proceedings, given that some of the allegations occurred some time ago.

4. On behalf of Mr Boucher, it was indicated that he intends to call some of the players to
testify on his behalf and that these players will be part of the Tour of New Zealand from
17 February to 1 March 2022 and the Bangladesh Tour of South Africa from 18 March
to 11 April 2022 and that having a hearing in-between the two tours would be disruptive.

Having considered both arguments, I agree with arguments advanced on behalf of
Mr Boucher and I have decided to postpone the matter for the hearing to be held in the
week commencing 16 to 20 May 2022.

6. Additionally, the parties are directed to hold a pre-hearing meeting for purposes of inter
alia narrowing disputes, agreeing on the exchange of bundles of documents and to
indicate estimated duration of the hearing. They are to file a pre-hearing minute a week
prior to the commencement of the hearing.
 
Johannesburg — The chairman of Cricket South Africa’s Board, Lawson Naidoo told the Parliamentary portfolio committee on sports, arts and recreation that a detailed plan to implement the recommendations of the Social Justice and Nation Building report will be presented next month.

Senior administrative officials from CSA appeared before the committee on Tuesday to outline how the organisation was dealing with various issues related to the SJN’s findings, including the legal proceedings related to Proteas coach Mark Boucher.

Cricket SA informed the committee, chaired by Beauty Dlulane that the Board of Directors had assigned various topics highlighted in the report to different sub-committees. The organisation’s cricket committee will deal with player remuneration and selection, the social and ethics committee with allegations of racism and racial slurs and the nominations committee with women’s cricket with an emphasis on creating a Women’s Committee.

Naidoo said a “consolidated view” from all the committees will be shared with the Board by the end of February. “We don’t want to pay lip service to this process, and we were careful not to provide a knee jerk response to the SJN report. We want to ensure we take a broader, considered and holistic view and how do we incorporate the lessons from that report into our five year strategy.”

Given all the publicity its received lately, the issues around Boucher, who is due to face a disciplinary process in May related to his part in singing a racist song targeting former teammate Paul Adams, were also scrutinised, with Democratic Alliance member Tsepo Mhlongo wanting to know why Boucher was not suspended.

“The Board took legal advice as to whether it was possible (to suspend Boucher),” said Naidoo. “We received legal opinion from two senior legal figures, experts in Labour law, who advised us there was no legal basis for CSA to effect precautionary suspension in respect of Boucher. The Board took a unanimous decision (not to suspend), because it would open us up to unnecessary litigation on the issue of suspension. The real issue is to deal with the allegations in the SJN report.”

Mhlongo was not satisfied with that response and demanded to see the legal opinion on which the Board’s decision was made.

Many of the questions asked to CSA didn’t paint the committee in a particularly good light. Some committee members didn’t know that the current Board isn’t the interim one, nor did they know when Boucher and Director of Cricket Graeme Smith were appointed and that it was done by the previous board, or about Thabang Moroe being dismissed or the SJN’s findings about match-fixing.

Time was spent scrutinising the Department of Sport’s role in development, which led to an admission by the Sports Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, that the relationship between his department and the department of education was not at a stage where it needed to be in terms of school sports. As part of the findings of the Eminent Persons Group - which provides data related to sports development and transformation, and to which sports federations are signed in order to measure transformation in the various codes - the two departments were supposed to have signed a Memorandum of Incorporation in 2018. “We are not happy with outcomes…this matter has been on our table for a very long time. Of late, we have decided to review the MOI (with the education department) , we have not reached a point that we want to,” said Mthethwa.

One of the SJN’s findings, which CSA’s acting CEO, Pholetsi Moseki repeated to the committee was that issues facing cricket “are a complex interaction of multiple factors stemming from the history of the country and consequent socio-economic factors that prevail today.”

As if to underline that point further, Mthethwa also admitted that his department could do little about the maintenance of facilities, because that is the responsibility of the Department of Local Government.

He made that admission in response to a question about why there weren’t more facilities in previously disadvantaged areas and in township schools where youngsters could take up cricket.

https://www.iol.co.za/sport/cricket...uspended-3032c853-3793-452d-835d-be0dbf9b4635
 
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has been working hard behind the scenes to support Mondli Khumalo’s family following his brutal assault in the United Kingdom in the early hours of Sunday morning, which left him in a coma.

CSA, in co-operation with KZN Cricket Inland has engaged the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to facilitate passports for the Khumalo family to travel to Bridgwater to be with Mondli. Following this intervention, the passports were issued to the family on Wednesday, 1 June 2022. The visa process should be concluded on Thursday, 02 June 2022.

Commenting on the progress so far, CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki said:

“CSA is deeply saddened by the unfortunate assault inflicted on Mondli, who has been a shining star in the CSA U19 setup. We share in the Khumalo family’s pain and anguish and have consequently dedicated senior officials to offer whatever support that might be required by the Khumalo family.

“So far collaboration with KZN Cricket Inland and various stakeholders has yielded positive results, which will hopefully lighten the Khumalo family’s challenges at this difficult time.

“In the meanwhile, we are encouraged that Mondli is now stable, following emergency surgery. CSA calls on South Africans to pray for Mondli’s speedy recovery and thanks all those who came forward for support.

CSA Board Chairperson, Lawson Naidoo said:

“The Board of Cricket South Africa unreservedly condemns the brutal assault on Mondli. We are however encouraged by the quick action of the UK authorities in apprehending the suspect who committed this ghastly act

“The Board lauds the CEO and the team for working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that the Khumalo family receives all the necessary support.

We also thank the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa for facilitating our request for assistance from Home Affairs through his Ministry.

We are also indebted to the tireless involvement SACA in this situation. We accordingly thank the SACA CEO, Andrew Breetzke for his demonstrated leadership in this regard.

“This collaborative effort is testament that the sporting fraternity is caring and capable of forming a united front in hours of need to ease the pain of others.

“On behalf of the Board, I wish Mondli a speedy recuperation and return to the playing field.”
 
The Proteas T20 Squad in India, along with the contracted Proteas players, today pledged R100 000 to assist Mondli Khumalo in his recovery from the serious injuries he sustained in an assault last week.

Temba Bavuma, Proteas T20 captain commented from India; “We are all part of the cricket family, and we must come together to support Mondli as he recovers from his horrific injuries. We are grateful for the excellent care he is receiving in England, and we are hopeful for a full recovery and return to cricket”.

Dean Elgar, Proteas Test captain added; “As a group of players we wanted to make a contribution to his rehabilitation, and he will remain in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. The support Mondli is receiving from the cricket community in South Africa and the United Kingdom, is evidence of the power of our game.”

“SACA is in direct contact with Mondli’s agent, Rob Humphries, who has been doing wonderful work in supporting Mondli and his family. We are in discussions with Rob as how best to utilize these funds, as well as additional funds that will be forthcoming from the SACA Benevolent Fund. We thank CSA and KZN Cricket Inland for their work in supporting Mondli at this time. The cricket community displayed incredible support for Solo Nqweni when he faced the challenge of overcoming the Guillain-Barré syndrome in 2020, and we are seeing the same support for Mondli – it is heart-warming” concluded SACA CEO Andrew Breetzke.
 
What horrible news about Mondli Khumalo.

Hope he recovers soon.
 
JOHANNESBURG – Ayabonga Khaka and Keshav Maharaj are proud to be named the SA Player of the Year in their respective categories following the virtual Cricket South Africa (CSA) Awards ceremony on Sunday night. Both players were also recipients of the Players’ Player of the Year Award.

Khaka was rewarded for a stellar season with the ball after taking a total of 31 wickets in all formats with her fast-medium pace as a key part of a four-pronged bowling attack for the Proteas Women in a year where the team played in 18 One-Day Internationals (ODI) and three T20 internationals (T20I).

The 30-year-old began her campaign with a dominant nine-wicket display away to the West Indies in September last year, with South Africa victorious in both ODI and T20I series.

In the reverse tour hosted in Johannesburg in early 2022, Khaka took her game to new heights with a maiden career five-wicket haul before ending with a series-leading 10 wickets as the home side clinched the four-match battle.

The right-armer then took her sublime form into the team’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup opener against Bangladesh in New Zealand as Khaka became only the fifth South African women to take 100 ODI wickets.

South Africa finished a riveting World Cup campaign at the semi-final stage, with Khaka taking 12 scalps to finish sixth on the wicket-taker’s list as the Proteas ended the tournament with a record five wins in a single competition.

Khaka commented: “I am humbled and honoured to be named the Player of the Year. Especially when everyone had a great season. It means a lot to me because this (Player’s Player of the Year) is an award that comes from my colleagues. I want to thank them very much for recognizing my contribution to our team.”

“Thanks goes to all my coaches and their efforts to help me continue raising my game. Their work doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you to my family for the support they give me, no matter what. I also want to thank my teammates for the support they have given me, my contribution wouldn’t have been highlighted if it weren’t for them. I want to say thank you to all the cricket fans for their support. I ask them to continue even tomorrow and never stop.”

In the last 12 months, Maharaj cemented his status as an all-format player, having featured across 13 ODIs, eight T20Is and as many Test matches, racking up a haul of 51 wickets along the way.

The 32-year-old enjoyed a unique set of circumstances, making both his T20I and captaincy debut in the same match against Sri Lanka. Impressively, he claimed his maiden T20I wicket off his very first ball. He also featured in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the UAE.

In the Test arena, one of his most memorable moments came the start of the season, when he became the second South African bowler and first spinner to claim a hat-trick following the consecutive dismissals of Kieran Powell, Jason Holder, and Joshua Da Silva in the second match against the West Indies at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.

He then went on to wrap up the season with standout figures of 7-32 in the first Test against Bangladesh at his home ground, the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.

Maharaj added: “Wow, when I heard about it, I almost broke down in tears. It’s probably one of the most humbling but highest moments in my career. I mean you dream of playing for South Africa, never think you’ll quite get there and then you get the opportunity to be named the South African Men’s Cricketer of the Year, it is very special.”

“I am really honored and privileged to receive this award and I hope I can continue from strength to strength and keep raising the bar and help the team most importantly get to number one in all formats of the game and hopefully win our first World Cup.”
 
Cricket South Africa (CSA) announces that South Africa Men’s Head Coach Mr Mark Boucher is to leave his role after the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

Mr Boucher has decided to resign in order to pursue other opportunities in line with his future career and personal objectives. While Cricket SA greatly regrets that Mr Boucher is unable to see out the term of his contract, it respects his decision and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours.

Mr Boucher has held the position since December 2019, and led the Proteas to 11 Test wins, including a memorable 2-1 series win against India at home in January this year. The Proteas are also currently number two on the ICC World Test Championship table. In the limited-overs arena, Mr Boucher has helped South Africa claim 12 One-Day Internationals wins, and 23 T20 International victories, the most recent being a historic 2-1 series triumph against England.

His last series at the helm will be a white-ball tour of India from 28 September – 11 October before heading to the T20 World Cup in Australia, where South Africa are grouped alongside Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. The tournament will run from 16 October – 13 November.

CSA Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki commented: “We would like to thank Mark for the time and effort he has invested in South African cricket as the Head Coach over the past three years. He has helped navigate us through some rough waters following the departures of so many senior players through retirement and has helped lay some strong foundations for the next generation of Proteas.

We are extremely grateful to him for the work he has done and would like to wish him well with the next chapter of his career.”

Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe added: “We are deeply saddened by Mark’s decision to leave us but we also understand and respect his wishes. He is a Proteas legend and has done so much for the game in our country, both on the field and over the last three years off it, which we highly appreciate.

“He has built a sound platform for South Africa to flourish in all three formats and I’m sure we will see the results of that at the T20 World Cup next month. He has a settled squad already, one that is growing in confidence, and we look forward to watching them in their important series in India before they head to Australia.”

Cricket SA will in due course announce its intentions regarding a successor to Mr Boucher.
 
Cricket South Africa (CSA) today announced the men’s international fixtures for the 2022-23 home season, with South Africa set to host England, West Indies and Netherlands.

Temba Bavuma’s white-ball outfit will get their summer underway with a three-match Betway One-Day International series (CWCSL 2023 ODIs) against England. The Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein will host the first two ODIs on 27 January and 29 January, with international cricket making its return to The Kimberley Oval in Kimberley on 1 February.

The Proteas will then welcome the West Indies for a multi-format tour. The two-match Betway Test Series will commence at SuperSport Park from 28 February - 04 March followed by the second Test at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg from 08 – 12 March. This series will be the final round of matches in the second edition of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) for Dean Elgar’s team, who are currently second on the table.

The three-match Betway ODI Series will begin at Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium in East London (16 March and 18 March) before the series wraps up JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom (21 March).

The three KFC T20Is against the West Indies at SuperSport Park (25 March and 26 March) and DP World Wanderers Stadium (28 March) complete this tour.

The international summer will be concluded with two remaining CWCSL ODIs against the Netherlands at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on 31 March and the highly anticipated Betway Pink Day ODI at DP World Wanderers Stadium on 2 April. These two matches are carried over from the three-match series originally scheduled in December 2021 but were curtailed due to the outbreak of Omicron.

CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki commented:

“South Africa is fast becoming the home-soul for international cricket. We are a proud cricketing nation, with abundance of talent, grit, and temperament for the game.

“CSA is thrilled to be hosting England, West Indies and the Netherlands, all worthy opponents, in what is billed to be an exciting summer of international cricket.

“This is principally good news to our fans who have been starved of the blend of cricket on offer at stadiums since 2020 pandemic. These bumper fixtures confirm that cricket in South Africa is indeed open for business.

“As we look forward to hosting these cricketing powerhouses, we invite our fans to swell the stadiums in numbers to support the Proteas as they lock horns with the best in the world.”

FULL LIST OF FIXTURES

South Africa versus England Betway ODI Series (CWCSL 2023 ODIs)

Friday, 27 January –13:00 (Day/Night)

South vs England – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein

Sunday, 29 January – 10:00 (Day)

South Africa vs England -Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein

Wednesday, 1 February – 13:00 (Day/Night)

South Africa vs England – The Oval, Kimberley


South Africa versus West Indies

Four-Day Tour Match

21 – 24 February

South Africa Invitational XI vs West Indies – Willowmoore Park, Benoni

Betway Tests (WTC 2023)

28 February – 04 March

South Africa vs West Indies - SuperSport Park, Centurion

08 – 12 March

South Africa vs West Indies – DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Both matches to start at 10:00

Betway ODIs (Bilateral ODIs)

Thursday, 16 March – 13:00 (Day/Night)

South Africa vs West Indies - Buffalo Park, East London

Saturday, 18 March – 13:00 (Day/Night)

South Africa vs West Indies – Buffalo Park, East London

Tuesday, 21 March – 10h00 (Day)

South Africa vs West Indies – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom


KFC T20Is (Bilateral T20Is)

Saturday, 25 March – 14:00 (Day)

South Africa vs West Indies – SuperSport Park, Centurion

Sunday, 26 March – 14:00 (Day)

South Africa vs West Indies – SuperSport Park, Centurion

Tuesday, 28 March – 18:00 (Day/Night)

South Africa vs West Indies – DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg


South Africa versus Netherlands Betway ODI Series (CWCSL 2023)

Friday, 31 March – 13:00 (Day/Night)

South Africa vs Netherlands – Willowmoore Park, Benoni

Sunday, 2 April – 10:00 – (Day – Betway Pink ODI)

South Africa vs Netherlands – DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
 
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JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) today announced the appointment of Temba Bavuma as Proteas Test captain as part of a restructure within the leadership group of the national team.

The 32-year-old will replace Dean Elgar at the helm of the red-ball format and will continue to lead the One-Day International (ODI) side. He has, however, relinquished the T20 International (T20I) captaincy with the new leader of that team to be named as part of the white-ball squad to face the West Indies next month.

Bavuma’s first assignment will be to lead a 15-man squad in the two-match Betway Test series against the West Indies from 28 February – 12 March in Centurion and Johannesburg.

Elgar, meanwhile, remains available to play for the Proteas after captaining them in 15 Tests during a near-two-year reign.

“Cricket South Africa would like to welcome Temba as the new captain of the Proteas Men’s national team,” commented Director of Cricket (DoC) Enoch Nkwe. “He is a player that has vast captaincy experience both at domestic level and on the international stage having led both the ODI and T20I teams since March 2021 when he was appointed.

“We trust he will deliver on all our expectations and help carry the team forward after some excellent work by his predecessor Dean during the same period. At the same time I would like to sincerely thank Dean for all his commitment to the role over the past two years. He helped the team navigate through some stormy waters and put them in good position on the ICC World Test Championship table.

“Both men have made us proud with the work they have done within the wider Proteas group and look forward to the next step in what is a new era for the Proteas under the leadership of dual coaches Shukri Conrad and Rob Walter.”

As part of the restructure, the DoC also confirmed that CSA was currently reviewing the National Selection Committee procedures, and had decided to release Victor Mpitsang of his role as National Convenor of Selectors. The current interim structure will see the head coaches of the respective teams playing a leading role in squad selections going forward.

“We also felt this was an opportune time to reassess the selection team and have decided to make some changes that we expect will help us with planning better in the future,” Nkwe explained. “In this regard, we thank Victor for the time he has invested with the national team over the last few years and wish him well for the future.”

Proteas Test squad against West Indies
Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Gerald Coetzee (ITEC Knights), Tony de Zorzi (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Dean Elgar (Momentum Multiply Titans), Simon Harmer (Momentum Multiply Titans), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Senuran Muthusamy (North West Dragons), Anrich Nortje (Dafabet Warriors), Keegan Petersen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions).

Six Gun Grill Western Province batter Tony de Zorzi earns his maiden Test call-up following an impressive CSA 4-Day Domestic Series campaign for the Division 1 log leaders, having amassed 489 runs at an average of 122.25 at the top of the order. North West Dragons’ Senuran Muthusamy joins the Test squad for the first time since 2019.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins batter Keegan Petersen makes his return from a hamstring injury, with DP World Lions’ Ryan Rickelton also named in the squad. Momentum Multiply Titans batter Aiden Markram has been drafted back in the Test squad, while his Titans teammate, Heinrich Klaasen will keep wicket.

Nkwe added: “This is a hugely important series for the Proteas as they begin life under a new captain and new Test coach in Shukri. As you will see, most of the players selected are those that have done very well for the national team in recent years and have been responsible for our current excellent standing in the WTC. There is a good blend of youth and experience and we are confident that the new coaching staff will get the best out of them as they build towards a better future for South African cricket.”

Test head coach Shukri Conrad added: “We believe we have selected the strongest possible group for this series against a strong West Indies team who are coming here fresh from beating Zimbabwe.

“We are pleased to see the likes of Keegan Petersen fit again and ready to play after his injury. He will add some much-needed stability to the batting, which has also been strengthened by the return of Aiden Markram and maiden call-up of Tony de Zorzi.

“We look forward to a good series between two teams that are rebuilding and we expect to only get better as we spend more time together as a group in the weeks and months ahead.”

The squad will assemble in Centurion on 24 February. The newly appointed Test captain, Temba Bavuma will be made available for a media opportunity. Details of the same will be shared with the media in due course.
 
Cricket South Africa (CSA) is talking to two countries over the possibility of securing more Test cricket for the Proteas in 2023.

The next confirmed Test assignment for the national side is a home series against India in December/January, resulting in a total of just four Test matches being played this year.

That scheduling has not gone down well with South African cricket purists, and while options are limited given the packed Future Tours Programme (FTP), Director of Cricket (DoC) Enoch Nkwe says a winter Test series is on the cards.

Nkwe would not reveal which countries South Africa had approached, but he hopes negotiations will result in an added Test window for coach Shukri Conrad and his charges.

The Proteas beat West Indies 2-0 in their recently-completed series in Conrad's first outing as Test coach, and as things stand, he would have to wait 10 months before his second.

"We're looking at a couple of options," Nkwe told News24.

"We are talking to two countries for Test series over the winter period, and hopefully once something is confirmed we can announce it. If we can't get it over the line, we'll resort to 'A' matches.

"We are looking at one or two other countries to find a small gap to squeeze in two or three Tests. Some countries are quite keen - it's just how we fit it into the approved FTP. There is appetite, which is exciting."

Now fully into his work as DoC, Nkwe is passionate about South Africa's red-ball development and has committed to creating opportunities for players even if CSA can't land any more Tests.

"There are still opportunities at a South Africa 'A' level, which would help strengthen the base for our red-ball cricket," he said.

"As much as the next few months are not looking too great, you've got to look at the positive side of it and the opportunity to grow the pool of red-ball cricketers, whether it's an 'A' tour, internal matches or 'North' v 'South' so that by the time we get to next year, when we start playing more Test matches, we are very competitive.

"We're looking at opportunities for the next couple of years to expand a two-match Test series to three and a three-match series to four. Those are engagements taking place already."

In another significant development, Nkwe confirmed that the Proteas could soon evolve into a side that plays limited overs and Test cricket simultaneously, as England has done in the recent past.

"That's another option in the future, to have both our red-ball and white-ball teams playing at the same time," said Nkwe.

"We are struggling with gaps in a packed FTP over the next four years, so we're looking at other options, and this is one of them."

https://www.news24.com/sport/cricke...-split-proteas-squads-also-an-option-20230328
 
Cricket South Africa would like to congratulate the Proteas Men on their qualification for the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to be played in India later this year.

Their place at the 50-over global tournament in October and November was confirmed after the first One-Day International (ODI) between Ireland and Bangladesh on Tuesday ended in a no result on account of the weather. The Irish had to win all three matches in the series in order to keep alive their own hopes of automatic qualification.

South Africa now cannot be overtaken by anyone in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League - the qualification tournament - and have secured the eighth and final qualifying berth.

CSA Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki commented: “On behalf of Cricket South Africa, I would like to congratulate the Proteas Men on automatically qualifying for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. It was by no means a straight forward route to guaranteeing their spot, but the Proteas showed character and now coach Rob and his team can look ahead to preparing for the tournament.”

Proteas 50-over captain Temba Bavuma added: “I am pleased to learn that we’ve secured our qualification for the upcoming 50-over World Cup that is going to be hosted in India later this year.

“If I look at the journey, it’s been a tricky one for us as a 50-over team to get to this point, but I think looking at the last couple of months, a lot of positive strides have been made as a team. We are well positioned to build on the momentum and confidence that we’ve gained. Now is the perfect opportunity for us to really focus on the World Cup from a preparation point of view, nail down on our plans and brush up on areas that we feel we need to brush up on.

“Personally, it will be a major honour and privilege for me to be leading the team in my first-ever 50-over World Cup and I hope we can achieve some good things as a team.”
 
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma believes momentum is building within his side and is confident of a strong showing at this year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

The Proteas clinched the final automatic qualification spot for the 2023 World Cup earlier this week when no result was possible in Ireland's ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League clash against Bangladesh in Chelmsford because of rain.

Automatic World Cup 2023 spots finalised after Ireland-Bangladesh washout
It hasn't been all plain sailing for South Africa, who had to battle some indifferent ODI form during the beginning of the qualification period, and then sat out a crucial series in Australia that could have been detrimental to their chances of qualifying directly.

But Bavuma has been buoyed by results this year, with the Proteas fresh from a 2-1 series triumph over reigning World Cup champions England at the start of 2023 and an even more recent 2-0 victory over the Netherlands, and thinks his team can build on these performances in the build-up to the tournament.

"I am pleased to learn that we’ve secured our qualification for the upcoming 50-over World Cup that is going to be hosted in India later this year," Bavuma said.

"If I look at the journey, it’s been a tricky one for us as a 50-over team to get to this point, but I think looking at the last couple of months, a lot of positive strides have been made as a team.

"We are well positioned to build on the momentum and confidence that we’ve gained."

South Africa managed just three wins at the most recent edition of the 50-over World Cup in England and Wales in 2019, but much of their personnel will be different this time around following the departures of quality players like JP Duminy, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and skipper Faf du Plessis.

It means Bavuma will play a crucial role in attempting to guide the Proteas to success and the pint-sized right-hander said his team must work extremely hard if they are to claim a first World Cup title later.

"Now is the perfect opportunity for us to really focus on the World Cup from a preparation point of view, nail down on our plans and brush up on areas that we feel we need to brush up on," Bavuma said.

"Personally, it will be a major honour and privilege for me to be leading the team in my first-ever 50-over World Cup and I hope we can achieve some good things as a team."

ICC
 
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has today announced the Proteas Men and Women’s contracted squad for the 2024/25 season, starting 01 May.

World Sports Betting Western Province’s fast bowler Nandre Burger and batter Tony de Zorzi have been awarded their first national contracts, while Momentum Multiply Titans fast bowler Gerald Coetzee was upgraded to a full contract during the current season and has been retained for the upcoming season.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo makes his return to the contracted squad.

The Proteas Women’s contracted squad has increased from 15 to 16. Hollywoodbets Dolphins fast bowler Ayanda Hlubi and Fidelity Titans all-rounder Eliz-Mari Marx have earned their maiden national contracts following an impressive debut season for the Proteas Women.

Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe commented: "We are pleased to announce the Proteas Men and Women’s contracted squad for the 2024/25 season. The player selection for both squads reflects our commitment to nurturing talent and rewarding exceptional performances.

"Our goal is to continue building strong and competitive teams that can consistently challenge on the global stage. With the addition of promising newcomers and the retention of experienced players, we believe we have assembled squads capable of achieving success in the upcoming season."

Proteas Men’s Contract Squad 2024/25

Temba Bavuma (DP World Lions), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors) and Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions).

Proteas Women’s Contract Squad 2024/25

Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions), Delmi Tucker (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Laura Wolvaardt (Fidelity Titans).
 

SA cricket legend Graeme Pollock in hospital after suffering stroke​


South African cricket legend Graeme Pollock is in hospital after suffering a stroke, it was reported on Sunday.

Having recently celebrated his 80th birthday in February, Pollock suffered a stroke 11 days ago and has been hospitalised since.

Pollock has in the last few years been diagnosed with cancer an Parkinson’s Disease.

Former Transvaal teammate Spook Hanley spoke to Rapport newspaper about Pollock’s condition.

‘He is stable’

“He moves his arms and understands everything you say. Although he is stable, I can’t see him getting out [of the hospital] in the near future,” Hanley said.

Don Bradman described Pollock during his playing days as: “Perhaps the finest left-hand batsman the game has ever produced.”

Pollock played 23 Test matches for South Africa before its isolation from international cricket due to the Apartheid regime.

In that time, Pollock scored seven centuries and 11 50s. His phenomenal Test batting average of 60.97 ranks as the fourth best-ever, with number two and three on list having played fewer matches than the Pollock.

Pollock turned 26 during his final Test series, against a touring Australia in February and March 1970. In the first of the three-match series, Pollock scored 274 in the first Test in Durban. That knock stood as the highest in SA Test cricket for 29 years until Gary Kirsten made 275 in 1999 against England, also in Durban.

After South Africa were banned from international sport, Pollock continued to play first class cricket.

After making his first class debut at the age of 16 in 1960, Pollock finally hung up his gloves in 1987 at the age of 43. His long first class career saw Pollock amass 20940 runs, at an impressive average of 54.67, with 64 centuries and 99 50s.

www.iol.co.za

SA cricket legend Graeme Pollock in hospital after suffering stroke

Having recently celebrated his 80th birthday in February, Graeme Pollock suffered a stroke 11 days ago and has been hospitalised since.
www.iol.co.za www.iol.co.za
 
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the appointments of Paul Adams and Imraan Khan as the respective High Performance Bowling and Batting Leads, effective from 01 September

Adams, a former Proteas spinner who played 45 Tests and 24 One-Day Internationals, has been serving as the spin bowling coach for the SA U19s Men and SA Emerging Men since 2023. He has also previously assisted the South Africa A side.

The 47-year-old has had notable domestic coaching spells with the Cape Cobras, guiding the Western Province side to five titles across all three formats between 2012 and 2016, and more recently coached the Division 2 side Eastern Cape Iinyathi.

As head coach of the Hollywoodbets Dolphins for five seasons, Khan won the 4-Day Domestic Series on two occasions and the One-Day Cup title in 2019/20 before sharing the 50-over honours with DP World Lions the very next season. He also led the KZN Coastal outfit to three T20 Challenge finals.

The 40-year-old, who played a combined 333 domestic matches and represented South Africa in one Test, has also worked as a batting consultant with the Proteas Men’s Test side during the tour of New Zealand earlier this year and the ongoing two-match series against West Indies.

Head of High Performance Grant van Velden commented: “The appointments of Paul Adams and Imraan Khan mark an exciting new chapter for Cricket South Africa’s High Performance program. Their roles are key in ensuring that our men’s and women’s domestic and national players receive the necessary mentorship required at this level.

“Paul’s extensive experience and proven track record as a coach will be invaluable in nurturing our upcoming talent. His dedication and passion for the game make him the perfect fit for this role.

“Imraan’s achievements with the Hollywoodbets Dolphins and his recent contributions as a batting consultant to the Proteas Men’s Test side demonstrate his ability to lead and develop players at the

highest level. We are confident that he will bring a fresh perspective to our High Performance program."
 
Cricket South Africa (CSA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday in Sandton, where the national cricket governing body proudly reported a strong financial performance for the fiscal year spanning 01 May 2023 – 30 April 2024.

CSA announced an impressive 170% increase in revenue of R1.9 billion and a notable profit of R815 million, marking a significant financial turnaround over the last 12 months. The organisation also reported a positive net cash flow of R793 million.

This performance was largely derived from broadcast rights which contributed 54% of total revenue. The second edition of CSA’s successful Betway SA20 league saw a double-digit growth in profitability with CSA’s share of profit being around R54 million.

Additionally, CSA’s strong financial standing was boosted by the successful hosting of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2024 and the expansion of its commercial portfolio, which saw the renewal of existing commercial agreements and the attraction of new brands into the fold.

Other notable highlights included:

The launch of the Professional Domestic Women’s League, which awarded 66 professional contracts and created 25 full-time support staff positions.

R32 million invested in both the Proteas Women and the Domestic Women’s League.

An increase in mass participation, with 100 000 children engaged annually in the KFC Mini-Cricket programme across over 2 000 schools, reflecting a 20% growth in participation at the grassroots level.

A partnership with the National Youth Service Programme, providing opportunities for over 2 000 unemployed youth with on-the-job training within various disciplines of cricket.

CSA continues to operate 70 cricket development hubs across all nine provinces reaching 6 367 players.

Reaching close to 1 billion viewers across 112 markets globally.

Signing on five new local and international sponsors.

Outgoing Chairman of the CSA Board Lawson Naidoo said: “Building on these successes affords us more opportunities for growth. The 2023/2024 financial year has highlighted areas where we can build on these foundations and achieve greater stability and sustainability.

“CSA’s strategic framework, underpinned by our four-year budget planning cycle, is positioning us to seize these opportunities and reach our objectives. In addition to building strong revenue streams, we have a focus on cost structures enabling an accumulation of reserves to return the organisation to its strong pre-COVID financial position and see the organisation through the next few years.

“Strengthening our governance structures, advancing player development and enhancing our sustainability efforts are all critical areas where we can make meaningful progress. We cannot do this alone. Our strategic partnerships with our various cricket communities, affiliates, commercial partners and the international cricketing community will remain essential in driving these initiatives forward.”

Reflecting on the current Board’s tenure, Naidoo added: “I feel a deep sense of pride and optimism for the future of cricket in South Africa. We are in a much healthier space than we were just a few short years ago. Credit must also be accorded to the players and team management as well as the CEO and his staff at CSA.”
 
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) has made changes to its Executive Committee with the appointment of Executive: Domestic Cricket and Human Resources Executive, with changes to the role of Director of Cricket.

Director of Cricket, Enoch Nkwe’s role changes to that of Director of National Teams and High Performance. Going forward Nkwe’s main responsibility and focus will be on the Proteas Men, Proteas Women, and High Performance

Former Head of Cricket Pathways Edward Khoza has been appointed as Executive: Domestic Cricket. Khoza joined CSA in October 2013 as Senior Cricket Manager, and later went on to become the Cricket Services Manager in 2017. He then became the Head of Cricket Pathways in 2022, a role he has held until being appointed to the Executive.

Continuing its forward momentum in advancing human capital, CSA has also welcomed a newly appointed Human Resources Executive, Devni Ferdi Naidoo. Devni joins CSA with over 25 years of experience, having established having fulfilled leadership roles across Africa, intercontinental Europe, the Middle East, and India. Her deep knowledge of HR practices and employment law has allowed her to operate effectively both locally and globally.

CSA Executive Committee

Chief Executive Officer - Pholetsi Moseki

Chief Financial Officer - Tjaart van der Walt

Chief Commercial Officer - Mtunzi Jonas

Public Affairs Executive - Refentse Shinners

Chief Marketing Officer - Wanele Mngomezulu

CSA Director: National Teams and High Performance - Enoch Nkwe

Executive: Head of Domestic - Edward Khoza

HR Executive - Devni Ferdi Naidoo
 
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