Cricket South Africa thanks BCCI for going ahead with tour, assures safety to team

By Priya Nagi

Johannesburg, Dec 21: South Africa, which is among the nations worst hit by Omicron variant of Covid, has promised to ensure biologically safe environment to the visiting Indian cricket team for the upcoming tour.

Giving this information to UNI, Cricket South Africa (CSA) Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pholetsi Moseki on Tuesday thanked the BCCI for deciding to go ahead with the tour despite the concerns over the pandemic, saying Indian cricket board understood how important the series is for CSA.

Had it been any other nation’s cricket board, they would have postponed the tour to South Africa amid the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, he said.

Several nationals have imposed travel restrictions on South Africa since the discovery of Covid-19 variant Omicron in the southernmost tip of the African continent. Despite the extraordinary times, the BCCI asked the CSA to prove to them that it’s safe to travel to South Africa.

It was, however, only after a thorough examination of the biologically safe environment (BSE) that BCCI sent the India team for three-match Test series and three One-Day Internationals.

“We are actually grateful to the BCCI because some other country would have taken advantage and said let’s postpone. But the BCCI actually spoke to us, had daily interactions because both parties wanted to see and make sure how to have this tour. And it happened in a very safe environment,” Moseki told UNI in a video call.

“They never wanted to postpone the tour. They just wanted to make sure that we can secure a proper BSE for the India team and the nationals (South African players). They were actually quite supportive. They just wanted to make sure that the players and the officials would be safe.

“It was a massive engagement. Other countries would have said no. But they (BCCI) started by saying, ‘We want to make sure that it’s safe to come to South Africa. Show us why it is safe. Tell us all the precautions that you have taken’. We had our best scientist, I mean to speak to them and explain how the environment works. After all those engagements they were quite comfortable that the tour can go ahead in a safe environment,” he added.

Both the country South Africa and its cricket board have been hit financially due to the pandemic. The CSA acting CEO said that the series between India and South Africa is important for their own finances and sustainability.

“One of my favourite movies is Spiderman. With power comes great responsibility. This could be true about the BCCI. They are very, very important for the cricketing ecosystem globally. They wanted to help us to ensure that at least we do safe this tour purely because it is extremely important for our own finances and sustainability. They understand their responsibility but they don’t throw that in your face as our fellow cricket members,” Moseki said.

When asked about the measures and precautions taken for the safety of India and South Africa players, Moseki said both parties have secured BSE exclusive hotels.

“We have secured exclusive hotels. The India team basically has its own secured hotel, which is like a massive space. It’s quite a beautiful hotel. We have also secured the South African team. Their own exclusive hotel. So even if they move to Cape Town in a few weeks time, it will definitely be the same secured and exclusive hotel for the Indian team and we have done the same for the South African team.

“Everyone was involved like from the officials, players, team management who will basically be in BSE. No one can actually go inside that bubble unless they are all already in BSE. Everyone who has been involved are already in a BSE. So they went into the BSE since last week. The hotel staff are also in a BSE, they are staying there. Anyone or everyone who might be in contact with the players or management or match officials are already in BSE,” he said.

Earlier, Australia’s newly appointed captain Pat Cummins, who was dining at a restaurant, had to miss the second Ashes Test against England in Adelaide after the fast bowler was deemed a close contact of a person who received a positive Covid-19 Test.

When asked whether players will be allowed to visit outside restaurants, Moseki said that no such freedom will be given as the BSE hotels have all the required amenities.

“No (freedom to visit restaurants). BSE is in the hotel itself and other BSEs are in the stadiums. They go to the hotel and from there to the stadium and back. The restaurants are within the hotels. Hotels are for exclusive use. You can do whatever you want as long as you are in the hotel.

“No one is allowed to go in or out. Be it staff, management or players. There won’t be a ‘Pat Cummins like situation’ because there won’t be that opportunity. Earlier players would come and go here and there shopping. But I don’t see that’s going to happen. It is unfortunate but part of the world we are living in,” he said.

The India versus South Africa series will be played behind closed doors as Cricket South Africa will be making no tickets available for the upcoming matches. The decision was taken jointly by CSA and BCCI to save both the players and the series.

“First priority for us is obviously the tournament to go ahead. Because then at least we can deliver broadcast commitments which are quite a key as you can imagine our broadcast and sponsorship commitments.

“It is always good to have fans especially for such a tour. India is a powerhouse. All the games in South Africa are normally sold out. So, there has been a lot of excitement since last year that this summer India will be touring. Unfortunately, none of us expected that we would have Omicron which made it practically impossible for us to have fans.

“Not selling tickets was done so that we don’t compromise anything with regards to our BSE. At least the tour is going ahead. Our people will still have an opportunity to watch this series which we expect is going to be a thriller. It would have been ideal to have fans but we understand why we can’t have fans. At least as I said, saving the tour and delivering our broadcast commitments is ultimately our number one priority of all,” he said.

India will be high on confidence as they will start the series on the back of defeating New Zealand in the two-match Test series in Mumbai. On the other hand, South Africa last played Test cricket in June this year, when they toured to the West Indies.

The Test series between India and South Africa will be part of the 2021-2023 ICC World Test Championship.

“India are quite on a high. They have been doing really very well. They went to Australia and they went to England. They want to win this series. But obviously we are going to do everything to stop them. They are coming from a very good series against New Zealand.

“Our players haven’t played since a series against the West Indies about 6 months ago. As far as preparation is concerned, India are at their peak because of the preparation they have been having for the last few weeks. But you know we fight as South Africans. We are going to make it damn hard,” he signed off.