Cape Town - The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has expressed its disappointment the joint announcement by Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirming the shortening of India’s tour to South Africa.
“This is a huge blow not only to the players but also to the cricket loving public of South Africa,” said SACA’s chief executive, Tony Irish.
“Everyone is now deprived of a meaningful series, especially in the Test format between the world’s top two cricket nations. I don’t see how this can possibly be in the interests of either cricket in this country or of the global game. Cricket is the loser, plain and simple.
“In addition CSA will suffer massive financial losses which will affect players, cricket programmes and cricket development at all levels in our country”.
The shortened India tour will reportedly cost CSA about R200m in lost revenue.
“It’s a very sad day when international cricket becomes more about what happens off the field than what happens on it,” continued Irish.
“The only positive to emerge today is the stated commitment of both CSA and the BCCI to continue with good faith discussions over the possibility of agreeing further scheduled fixtures between the two teams. At very least the players and the fans of both countries deserve that and should be entitled to hold the two boards to this commitment.”
The month-long tour in December will comprise of a mere two Tests and three ODIs - much less than the three Tests, seven ODIs and three T20s initially planned.
“This is a huge blow not only to the players but also to the cricket loving public of South Africa,” said SACA’s chief executive, Tony Irish.
“Everyone is now deprived of a meaningful series, especially in the Test format between the world’s top two cricket nations. I don’t see how this can possibly be in the interests of either cricket in this country or of the global game. Cricket is the loser, plain and simple.
“In addition CSA will suffer massive financial losses which will affect players, cricket programmes and cricket development at all levels in our country”.
The shortened India tour will reportedly cost CSA about R200m in lost revenue.
“It’s a very sad day when international cricket becomes more about what happens off the field than what happens on it,” continued Irish.
“The only positive to emerge today is the stated commitment of both CSA and the BCCI to continue with good faith discussions over the possibility of agreeing further scheduled fixtures between the two teams. At very least the players and the fans of both countries deserve that and should be entitled to hold the two boards to this commitment.”
The month-long tour in December will comprise of a mere two Tests and three ODIs - much less than the three Tests, seven ODIs and three T20s initially planned.