South Africa will have number of tours against India, informs Graeme Smith
CSA Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith is hopeful of having a few India tours in the coming years, with the former cricketer having conducted serious talks with BCCI top official Sourav Ganguly.
South Africa were set to host Australia for a full-match Test series earlier this year, but Cricket Australia decided to call it off at the last moment, citing health concerns regarding Covid-19. But, as per CSA (Cricket South Africa) director Graeme Smith, they are in advance talks with BCCI President Sourav Ganguly for a few India tours in the future.
“Myself and Sourav go a long way back, and we’ve had a number of conversations. India in particular have been very supportive of us. Hopefully, in the next cycle, we’ll have a number of tours against India that are pretty close to being finalised actually. [ECB chief executive] Tom Harrison and the ECB have been brilliant as well,” said Graeme Smith.
Also read: IND Vs ENG : England Demands Third Umpire Consistency After Rushed Decisions
South Africa recently toured Pakistan for a two-match Test series, followed by a three-game T20I tourney, with the Asian country also set to visit the African nation for a couple of limited-over series. As per the latest reports, the Proteas have also negotiated talks with the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) chief for a possible bilateral series.
“[ECB chief executive] Tom Harrison and the ECB have been brilliant as well. Even the way Tom handled the situation from behind the scenes [in December] with England was good. Those matches have already been rescheduled [though not announced]. There’s been a joint resolution and an understanding of that,” added the former South African skipper.
It’s important that members get together and support each other, asserts Graeme Smith
The incident with (CA) Cricket Australia did not go down well with CSA when the tour was cancelled in the 11th hour, with Smith expressing disappointment regarding the same. The former cricketer feels that it is important for the member nations to get together and support each other for the sake of the game.
“It’s important that the members get together and support each other and try and find ways to get as much done as we possibly can. That added to the disappointment of Australia. Everyone [else] we’ve worked with has had that mindset and understood that. My sense is that Australia didn’t, and that’s what let us down. No matter what we offered them I doubt we would have been able to get them over the line,” concluded Smith.