Graeme Smith Sheds Light On The Toxic Culture Within Cricket South Africa

Former South African captain Graeme Smith became the boss of South African cricket after the national team’s forgettable Test tour of India. Ahead of England’s visit to the nation in late 2019, Graeme Smith took over the role of the director of South African cricket while it saw a revamped coaching staff too.

As the national team begins to find its feet back in international cricket, he has also opened up on the toxic culture within the board.

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Graeme Smith was thrust into the role of the captain at the age of 22, becoming the youngest Proteas’ Test captain. Smith took over as the leader from South Africa’s fast bowling spearhead Shaun Pollock, under who South Africa performed underwhelmingly in the World Cup. Till date, Smith is the most successful Test captain with 53 wins and 29 losses in 109 matches.

Graeme Smith termed the organisation culture as a cancerous one and there exist no signs of getting it better. The 39-year old underlined that people from the senior positions have contributed to some sensitive information leaks. He stated that it was difficult to understand the motive or the end goal behind it.

“I think it’s been a cancer from within the organisation for a while and it’s not getting any better. You try and work out who in senior positions in this organisation is doing this, and why? What is the end goal? Is it serving cricket? It’s quite clearly someone in a high-profile position, whether it is in the business part or the board part, because some of the stuff being leaked can only be from those parties within the organisation,” Smith, who scored 9265 Test runs stated as quoted by Hindustan Times.

I’ve made it clear why I got involved: Graeme Smith

The 117-Test veteran revealed that Cricket South Africa (CSA) courted him for a while and went through the same interview process as anyone else. He said that he got involved with the association since he had a strong desire to help South African cricket. Graeme Smith was unhappy with the narrative and was appointed by a vigorous process despite naming the reason why he got indulged.

“CSA courted me for a while, I went through the same interview process as everybody else in getting the job. I got involved because I have got cricket at heart and to be part of the solution. I want to help create a strong CSA. “I think the narrative is really unfair. I was appointed by a really vigorous process and didn’t go and appoint myself. I’ve made it clear why I got involved,” he added.

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