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Haroon Lorgat.
(Sydney Seshibedi / Gallo Images)
- Cricket South Africa interim board member Haroon Lorgat said the organization’s internal battles have been costly from the perspective of the International Cricket Council.
- Lorgat, a former CEO of ICC, held the same position at CSA from 2013 to 2017.
- CSA has also had three presidents representing them at the ICC over the past year.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) interim board member and former CEO Haroon Lorgat said the organization’s internal challenges have cost them their International Cricket Council (ICC) prestige.
Lorgat, a former ICC executive director, said CSA’s internal battles shifted the focus from ICC affairs to domestic affairs, allowing important items on the ICC agenda to be discussed without his involvement.
Lorgat spoke at Friday’s virtual press conference where the majority of the CSA interim board was present, which was granted an extension by Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
“Cricket South Africa has lost its prestigious place around the table. It’s no surprise because we had a lot of internal challenges,” Lorgat said.
“We couldn’t legitimately focus and establish ourselves at the ICC and in my experience that allows for an imbalance in the cricket world.
“It will go a long way for CSA to restore its reputation as well as its place at the table. There is a lot going on with the ICC, especially with the Cricket Australia affair. CSA needs to get its house in order so it can play a role. significant at the ICC table. “
The chairman of the CSA council of interim members, Rihan Richards, said their problems with ICC affairs were the unexpected turnover they had when it came to their representatives.
From 2013 until August last year, CSA had a stable presence in the form of Chris Nenzani.
After his tumultuous resignation in August, he was replaced by Beresford Willams, who resigned in late October along with the old board.
Richards, who has been holding the fort, also said there were wide consultations regarding voting for Greg Barclay as president of the ICC.
“One of the factors contributing to our problem at the ICC is the high turnover of representatives who serve on the ICC board. That is the biggest challenge because, in the last six to seven months, we have had three people represent us. at the ICC, “Richards said.
“After many consultations with all of our stakeholders, we all felt that Greg Barclay’s candidacy should be supported and I did so. I don’t think he will play a role, although it is speculated that he reinforces the big three. The base supporting the candidate was based in an informed decision that will serve the interests of CSA. “
Lorgat, who is well versed in ICC matters, added that there is the potential for the “Big Three” of India, Australia and England to dominate the gaming cycles to the point of excluding other nations.
Lorgat was CEO of CSA in 2014 when changes to the ICC’s financial model were charged in favor of the three richest nations in world cricket.
Australia, which dropped out of the South African tour, went to great lengths to ensure that India visited Australia late last year and early this year.
“There is a possibility that what was reversed during Shashank Manohar’s time could reform itself as what is loosely referred to as the ‘big three.’ We are seeing a lot of matches between those countries to the detriment of each other,” Lorgat said . .
