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Fans poke fun at Cricket SA

Herman Mostert

Cape Town - Sport24's cricket fans have poked fun at Cricket South Africa (CSA) after a new sponsor was named for the upcoming Test series against Australia.

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Sunfoil Pure Sunflower Cooking Oil, manufactured by the Pietermaritzburg-based Willowton Group, will sponsor the two-Test series, starting at Newlands on November 9.

CSA has been embroiled in controversy this year after a so-called bonus scandal involving missing millions, which according to earlier reports, is the main reason behind CSA's inability to obtain big sponsors.

The Proteas' Test and limited overs teams are sponsored by Castle Lager, which is showcased on their playing and practice kits but it doesn't sponsor the tournaments itself.

South Africa's recently-concluded T20 and one-day series against Australia failed to attract a significant sponsor.

The country's domestic one-day and T20 competitions are also without a sponsor, with the 50-over competition now being called the 1 Day Cup.

This is a far cry from the heady days of the Standard Bank Cup and before that the Benson & Hedges Night Series, when sponsors remained in the saddle for long periods. The tobacco company was the country's main one-day sponsor for 15 years until Standard Bank took over in 1996. Local cellular giants, MTN, sponsored the domestic competition for the last few seasons.

And cricket fans are already taking aim at CSA, with many having their say on Sport24's comments section on Thursday.

"What a fall from grace! Standard Bank, MTN, to sunflower oil? surely they are on a slippery slope!!," marazor wrote.

"hell...what is happening to CSA that we should get such lower grade oil as sponsors? Can we really not get bigger names to support the boys? Where is are big names?," Craig Scannell wrote.

Kosie van der Merwe said: "the big names are not interested because of all the corruption in CSA".

"Ironic sponsor, oil for a corrupt sport,"  goyougoodthing wrote.

Michael Jubiler said: "Desperate times... who would want to sponsor anything to do with CSA and their greedy thieving paws..."

"What a disgrace that no corporate sponsor wants to be associated with the national cricket team - can you blame them?" said Albertus Viljoen.

There were, however, those who saw the lighter side of things and added a bit of humour.

David Claase had this to say: "So instead of 'Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole' it will be 'Oil-e, Oil-e, Oil-e...'
Does this make the Proteas a well-oiled machine?
At least we all know what they'll do if the chips are down...they'll fry them!
There might now be some confusion when the commentators refer to the 'batter...'
From now on there will be a new fielding position - deep-fried midwicket... "


"and the man of match is....will..... pls come forward to receive his Sunfoil Pure Sunflower Cooking Oil man of the match trophy....!!!!" Paul Mark Maarman wrote.
 
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