England's Tour Of South Africa At Risk Of Getting Cancelled
Published - 14 Nov 2020, 08:55 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:36 AM
It looks like South Africa cricket will take some time before getting back to normalcy as their home series against England is in doubt due to the ongoing chaos in Cricket South Africa (CSA). South Africa are scheduled to welcome England this month.
Eoin Morgan & Co. are due to fly from the UK on Monday to play three T20 matches and as ODIs against the Proteas. However, the latest turn of events in CSA might place the entire series at risk. The issue is that CSA’s Members Council have still not accepted the interim management appointed by the South African government two weeks ago.
With the interim management board yet to be ratified, there are big question marks over the series. The CSA Members Council is made up of the 14 presidents of the provincial cricketing associations and is the leading decision-making group in CSA. Judge Zak Yacoob, the chairman of the interim board, warned:
“I don’t know what the thinking is in England but, if the Members Council does not take a proper decision, England will probably be seriously discouraged from coming.”
If both the parties do not agree soon, South Africa will not have a official team to represent the country. In such a case, the home series against England is more than likely to be called off. The cancellation would be hugely ironic despite all the Covid-19 protocols being in place.
Both the teams are due to stay in a bio-secure bubble at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town, with players permitted to leave only in order to train and play. All matches will be behind closed doors. As far as England are concerned, the tour is still on for them as they are still planning to travel on a charter flight to Cape Town on Monday.
“As far as we are concerned, it’s business as usual and, until we hear otherwise, we travel on Monday,” an ECB spokesperson was quoted as saying by The Sun.
