The cancellation of Australia’s tour of South Africa could have significant ramifications on a cricketing nation already on its knees financially.
And if it hadn’t already, COVID-19 is exposing a growing divide between cricket’s haves and have-nots.
Earlier this week, South Africa’s second wave and new variant of the virus had left Cricket Australia (CA) with “no choice” but to cancel an upcoming three-Test tour. In a series that appeared all but locked in, Cricket Australia pulled the pin at the “11th hour”.
Cricket South Africa did their absolute utmost to meet CA’s demands throughout negotiations.
This included putting the Proteas team (plus all hotel staff and match officials) into a biosecure bubble for 14 days prior to Australia’s arrival, organising separate hotels for each team (unlike when Sri Lanka toured recently), and VIP access through the airports after a special government sign-off.
Yet the tour was still deemed too high a risk. Presented with identical conditions for a tour of England or India, would the same decision have been made?
We will never know.
CA interim chief executive Nick Hockley refuted that money was a factor “in the strongest possible terms”.
But their track record on cancelling tours that are either too difficult or not financially lucrative does not leave them a wealth of runs on the board. In the last four years, Australia has played 22 Test matches against India or England, the two nations that deliver by far the greatest return on investment for CA.
By contrast, they’ve played just 15 Tests against all other nations combined during this same period. The only two nations Australia has played since COVID struck are England and India.
Irrespective of the decision this week, it is undisputed that the Big Three continue to draw away from the pack at a worrying pace.
And it is to the detriment of world cricket.
Cricket South Africa’s acting CEO Pholetsi Moseki said the tour cancellation “represents a serious financial loss”.
“We believe the stance taken by Cricket Australia is regrettable and will have a serious impact on the sustainability of the less wealthy cricket playing nations.”
This is where the real hurt lies. Cricket Australia will be fine without this tour (which they tell us is postponed — cricket speak for canned).
While it will impact Justin Langer’s side given the (now sizeable) gap before its next match — that being the Ashes later this year — the move is hardly going to be felt by the organisation and by extension, cricket in this country.
For South Africa, though, the impact could be immense. Already facing major financial loss, the tour was to provide a much-needed cash injection.
Firdose Moonda, who covers all things South African cricket for ESPNCricinfo, said the decision was another “painful” kick in the guts to the struggling cricket nation.
“It feels very much we are now starting to see the true decline of South African cricket,” she tweeted.
“Back when the Big Three (a selfish and small-minded idea in any event) was being formed, South Africa were right there, being considered part of a Big(ish) Four. There are nowhere near that now. Years of maladministration and poor form is damaging the sport, perhaps beyond repair.”
The move by Cricket Australia also sets a hardline precedent that will soon be put to the test. After cancelling the South Africa tour, will they decide players can travel to India for the IPL, due to start in early April?
Australian players bought in the upcoming auction will need a ‘no-objection certificate’ from the governing body to travel to India, a country that has also been hit hard by the pandemic.
Last season’s IPL was played in the UAE, but this year the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said they want it to return to India. In total, 19 Australians featured in last year’s tournament, and Hockley has said they would hand out certificates on a “case-by-case” basis.
Micko
Roar Rookie
The same NZ that had a 3 match test schedule with the aussies last time...then begged the aussies to cancel the third test?!!! :shocked: How come the aussies are always the villlains with you, regardless of the actual circumstances?
Micko
Roar Rookie
The BCCI is effectively the ICC now.
WillowWiz
Roar Rookie
Australia has always been known for avoiding places like NZ, Bang, SL, and now SAF.
WillowWiz
Roar Rookie
Lol. It was CA that refused to tour South Africa. WHat has the BCCI have to do with it?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Population isn't the issue, it's the system that's broke: devaluing the Sheffield Shield to expand the BBL circus for $.
Sluggy
Roar Guru
I suspect CA had advice that it might be a breach of worker health and safety laws to put their employees at risk in the RSA environment.
armc2906
Roar Rookie
Interesting article David. In the age of the future tours program and the supposed world test championship, the statistics around Australia's test match opponents is staggering. the sad thing is that of the big 3, given our population and the dwindling number of players in comparison to the other two, it may not be long before we're looking from the outside at the big 2!
Brian
Guest
Wade's played 36 Tests for an average of 29, maybe Bavuma a good bloke too
moaman
Roar Guru
Kyle Mayers has a First Class average a tick under 29. He just scored a double ton on Test debut! Bavuma has been a stand-out in the current series.....maybe he isn't as bad as those numbers suggest?
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
You are funny Zozz, but not funny ha ha!
I abhorred the Apartheid regime in Sth Africa - but I also think the quota system is ridiculous, bordering on outright reverse racism. I mean, I get it why the native Africans want to "stick it" to the whites in Cricket in Sth Africa after so many years of being treated as less than human, but two wrongs do not make a right.
I doubt it. Your first class structure is full of holes. And my contention is backed up by no less than an all time Australian Great – Greg Chappell, yes Mr Underarm himself – go read his article in yesterdays SMH. I can see Australia going through a period similar or worse than mid 80’s and that bad period will this time last longer – unless they do something about the season which at the moment is all about having a slog in the Big Boof League. What I see is NZ becoming the next great cricket nation within the next five – eight years- the Kiwis have a well thought out first class structure, and have some of the best athletes in the world – who now want to not only play Rugby, but play Cricket instead.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
I wonder if CA still plans on paying out their full contracts?
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Why bother flying to Bangladesh to play a test series that got moved into the middle of the monsoon season.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Dude with all due respect. Clive Eksteen, CSA’s head of commercial and marketing, and Altaaf Kazi, the organisation’s head of communications, had stood smiling for a picture alongside three men in SBW’ masks on the first day of play at St George’s Park. They also also overturned a decision by the venue security, made at the request of Australian management, for the masks to be confiscated at the turnstiles. Edit: oops beaten to the punch. If that’s not disrespect I don’t know what is. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were behind it in the back ground.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Lol
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
I'm more a Doctor Hook fan (well the missus is anyway ... and I have to listen to that for the sake of peace and quiet sometimes). Patsy Cline gets a longish run as well, as well as some obscure Kiwi "entertainers" (if I have to listen to Ten Guitars again ...). Mental Note, disable CD players in house and car :happy:
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Swings and Roundabouts Ad-O It is a cyclic thing. Australia is top ... England is top ... then Australia again ... then the West Indies ... then Australia is top ... now India. There are brief periods where nobody is clearly the best side but then a side/country emerges as clearly top (and they generally have an extra side that is good enough to beat most of the rest as well). Australia will be back like they always have been before.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I've taught out in the really hot parts. When ya play Kenny to the high schools black and white are united in their love of Kenny. ---- He's not in my absolute faves but l love his honesty and humility.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Gee Thanks Rowdy I clicked on that link and now I will be branded a Kenny Rogers fan for the rest of my life (and it will stay in my Internet activity reports forever). :crying: