The 'Big Three' Boards Act As 'Laws Unto Themselves', Cricket South Africa Slams England For Withdrawing From The ODI Series

Interim board Chairman of Cricket South Africa, Judge Zak Yacoob has boldly fired shots at the England team for withdrawing from the three-match ODI series. England whitewashed the hosts in the T20I series.

The first ODI was postponed after covid-19 positive cases emerged in the South Africa camp. Soon the re-scheduled ODI was abandoned as two ‘unconfirmed cases’ were reported in the England team along with a couple of members of the hotel staff.

Concerned from such situations, the England team withdrew themselves from the 3 ODIs left to be played on the tour, and within 48 hours boarded a chartered plane back home. Later the two cases in the England team were confirmed as false positives.

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Judge Zak Yacoob doesn’t mince any words while saying that the ‘Big Three’ board – the BCCI, Cricket Australia, and the ECB – have acted insubordinately in the past and continue to do so. The Judge said that there seems to be no proper justification for England leaving the tour mid-way.

He also said that the Sri Lankan team is more than likely, about ‘95% certain’ to tour South Africa for a two-match Test series after the SLC had shown their concerns.

Speaking in a virtual press conference on Thursday, Judge Yacoob said, “What I want to negate is an idea that our provision of services was substandard and that there is any justification for the English saying they did not want to participate and go home. The facts are that ultimately, they were negative. We have gone into or protocols and we think that our protocols have been very good.

We have been managing the virus much better than England: Cricket South Africa

Yacoob understands that these are uncertain times and anxieties might have crept in the England team, and in no way, he confirmed, that he is blaming Eoin Morgan’s side. However, he also said that South Africa is dealing with the virus much better than England is currently. The judge believes that some people don’t want Sri Lanka to visit South Africa, but he is positive that the Islanders are touring.

“There may have been an issue of psychological troubles. People may have felt nervous about false positives. Our position is that we do not wish to blame the English, but we wish to say absolutely and completely that any notion that they went away because it was in any way our fault, is completely wrong.

I can say we have been managing the virus much better than England. There was some attempt to ensure that in relation with what happened with England, Sri Lanka should not come here. They are coming next week, I hope,” Judge Yacoob said.

A three-day practice match is slated for 20th December. The two-match Test series is scheduled to begin on 26th December in Centurion followed by the second Test in Johannesburg. Sri Lanka won a historic series on their previous tour.

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