“Everyone wants to get back and get things moving forward in a positive direction,” said Cricket South Africa’s Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith, after the Members Council voted to implement the new Memorandum of Incorporation a week ago. 

Updating the media on the Proteas men’s team’s schedule, Smith revealed that CSA and the West Indies Cricket Board were in the process of finalizing arrangements, including bio-bubble protocols. The Proteas are scheduled to play two Tests and five T20s, beginning in June. As a result of COVID-19 restrictions, the T20 team will fly directly to Ireland. Following the Ireland tour, the team will have a short break in August, after which they will head to Sri Lanka and India for white-ball tours in preparation for the T20 World Cup. 

With rumours that the IPL is likely to be rescheduled in September, Smith said he has not been in touch with the BCCI. “With what’s happened with the IPL, we just need to give the BCCI time to regroup.” Effusive in his praise for the manner in which the South African players were sent to South Africa, Smith said, “They’ve been exemplary in the way they’ve got their players out.” On the Australian front, however, there have been “a few fair intense discussions” to reschedule the tour that was canceled earlier this year. 

Smith said CSA’s medical team deserved a lot of credit for creating 16-17 bio-bubbles through the course of the South African cricket season. “We’ve shown how successful our BSE are,” said Smith. The Pakistani cricket team, which traveled to South Africa for ODI and T20 series, offered feedback saying “ours was the best.” Smith made no bones about the fact that he was disappointed about the England tour being cut short and Australia canceling their tour entirely. “You see some of these players not making noise and you see some things differently. A double standard.” 

The selection of AB de Villiers, Chris Morris, and Imran Tahir have been significant talking points in the media. “AB is a different discussion because he is retired. Free agents are always available for selection. They’re getting more experience in the format. We’ve seen the success that West Indies has had in bringing back free agents.” In saying that, he acknowledged the ambiguity of Morris’ position because Morris previously stated that there were limited discussions with CSA on his participation in the T20 World Cup. A key factor, Smith explained, was whether the free agents were ready to withstand the rigors of international cricket. “There’s a different pressure and intensity that comes with international cricket.” 

Smith highlighted the importance of having a strong domestic structure. This season, 45 South African players have been exposed to international cricket, and it is important for them to play domestic cricket as much as possible. “We can bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket.”