Credibility Before Cricket

Mired in major governance issues in recent times, Cricket South Africa is now making sure the right people are in place to turn its fortunes around so the actual game can take center-stage.

- Nick Said

Cricket South Africa (CSA) was plunged into disarray just weeks before the arrival of England for a high-profile four-test series against an ailing Proteas side that has taken a beating home and away in recent times.

It was the biggest crisis to hit the local game since the Hansie Cronje match-fixing saga of 2000, as major governance concerns led to the resignation of four independent directors, a decision by the major sponsor to end their financial support of the organization and even a strike threatened by unhappy players.

The unhappiness centered largely around the decisions of Chief Executive Officer Thabang Moroe, until he was suspended and replaced in an acting capacity by respected administrator Jacques Faul, who had previously been acting CEO in 2012, and would be supported by former International Cricket Council CEO Dave Richardson.

Graeme Smith, the most successful captain in Test cricket history, was appointed Director of Cricket to overhaul all structures of the organization and ensure excellence on the pitch.

And former wicketkeeper Mark Boucher, a veteran of 147 tests and the world record holder for the most dismissals across all formats of the game, 999, named head coach.