Cricket SA and the Board Of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed in teleconference meeting for Twenty20 series to go ahead in August; even if it’s behind closed doors.
But the Cricket SA acting CEO Jacques Faul said the agreement have to wait for guidance from the government‚ the sports ministry and SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc).
“We’ve been encouraged by their willingness to play in three T20s in August. If it’s postponed‚ then maybe we’ll play a bit later‚” Faul said.
“We are engaging via Sascoc and with sports minister Nathi Mthethwa. We are in the process of seeking an audience with the minister to get permission if needed to play behind closed doors, and this will relate to the possibility of the India tour and other incoming tours.
“We’re trying to be innovative because it is an important tour to us.”
The series has a significant affect in the continuous warming of relations between the boards, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the richest in the world and plays a big role in the financial stability of a number of Test-playing nations.
There was a time when Cricket SA and the BCCI did not see eye to eye‚ but that seems to be a thing of the past, with director of cricket Graeme Smith rooting for BCCI president and former India captain Sourav Ganguly for the International Cricket Council (ICC) presidency.
“Having dealt with Sourav for a long time‚ the presidency of the ICC becomes a key position in terms of how the game can progress at the right level. From our perspective‚ it would be great if a cricket man such as Sourav could get the president role‚” Smith said.
“It could be good for the modern game because he understands it and played at the highest level. He’s respected, and his leadership will be key.”