The Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced in a joint statement that they have decided to play a series consisting of two Tests and three one-day internationals (ODI), ending months of speculations that the planned series would be shelved.
The announcement came after CSA withdrew its CEO, Haroon Lorgat from representing it at the ICC's Chief Executive's Committee, and decided to keep him away from any aspect of CSA's relationship with the BCCI in the future. Lorgat came under scanner over his role in the recent statement made by former legal advisor to CSA, David Becker about the ICC Board.
India's tour of South Africa, which was scheduled to start from 21 November, 2013 and conclude on 19 January, 2014, ran into trouble after BCCI didn't endorse the schedule announced by CSA. However, the appointment of Lorgat as CSA's CEO seemed to be the main issue, as he shared cold vibes with BCCI when he was the ICC chief.
The series announced by CSA in July consisted of three Tests, seven ODIs and two T20s but the rescheduled series has just two Tests, three ODIs and two T20s, which means CSA will suffer a huge loss. The itinerary for the series has not been finalized.
Here is full text of joint statement made by CSA and BCCI:
Following meetings in London over the past couple of days, CSA and the BCCI have today announced that the South Africa cricket team will play against India in an upcoming home series comprising of two Test matches and three One Day International matches, the specific dates and details of which will be announced in due course.
In addition, both parties have also agreed to continue with good faith discussions between their respective Presidents about the possibility of agreeing further bilateral arrangements in respect of the scheduled fixtures between the two teams, and taking into account any scheduling imbalances from previous years.
The agreement to tour was concluded by the two boards after various concerns were raised around the recent ICC Board meeting in London about the alleged conduct of CSA's Chief Executive, Mr Haroon Lorgat, and recent comments made about the ICC Board by a former legal advisor to CSA, Mr David Becker.
The ICC and CSA have already refuted the comments made by Mr Becker, and the ICC is now considering its legal options in respect of the same. In addition, the ICC will convene an investigation by an independent third party (to be appointed by the ICC) into the content and distribution of the media comments, subsequent attempts to have them withdrawn, and, in particular, the role of Mr Lorgat in relation to these matters.
Pending the outcome of this investigation, CSA has ordered the withdrawal of Mr Lorgat from representing it at the ICC's Chief Executive's Committee (or from acting in any other ICC-related matters), and CSA has also withdrawn him from having involvement in any aspect of CSA's relationship with the BCCI, including but not limited to the upcoming tour.
All parties have agreed that this investigation will be carried out in private, that no further media comment will be made until it has been concluded, and that its findings and recommendations will be binding upon CSA.
