Players OK with CSA board

Johannesburg - The SA Cricketers' Association (SACA) has expressed dismay at the latest setback in the appointment of a new cricket board.

Players were asking how this could be happening, SACA chief executive Tony Irish said on Thursday.

"Our cricketers have been patient through all of the problems and have given Cricket SA [CSA] their support and a fair opportunity to fix things," he said.

"Now, quite frankly, they are angry with this setback for what appears to be 'political' reasons."

CSA was to vote in a new board of 11 members at its annual general meeting (AGM) on Saturday.

It has already appointed five independent directors and said the other six would consist of five of the affiliates, and the CSA chief executive.

Last week, however, the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) raised an objection to the board structure, claiming it was contrary to SASCOC's membership requirements.

CSA has since postponed its AGM to November 30, by which time it was hoped the matter would be resolved.

Irish said the Nicholson inquiry recommended this restructuring in its report.

CSA had signed a memorandum of agreement with Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula and SASCOC to put the changed board into effect, and the changes had been publicly announced.

"As a result, public and stakeholder confidence in cricket has been slowly but surely restored and sponsors have been prepared to come back into the game," Irish said.

"Now, however, at the 11th hour, it has all been put on hold with the threat that the progress made will be derailed and another structure put in place."

Irish said there were good people in cricket, including CSA's current leaders, who had tirelessly worked to make changes to turn cricket into one of the best-administered sports in the country.

"We have a world class team. The players expect the administration of the game, and in particular the CSA board, to aspire to the same high standards in the governance of the game," he said.

"We urge SASCOC and the current CSA board to proceed with the [previously] announced board structure and the formal appointment of the independent and provincially elected directors."