It is an inescapable fact that all of us are living during unprecedented times. The pandemic has swept the globe with such ferocity that most of the sporting events are either cancelled or held within closed doors. This has led to enormous amount of financial loss for various boards across the globe. Cricket too had to endure its share of financial trouble. England & Australia were able to reduce their loss because of the tours to those countries by West Indies, Pakistan & India. England’s and Australia’s financial position is not that bad when compared to other countries. However, South African situation is precarious. They may not even be able to pay their players. It is in such a situation that England cancelled their South African tour.
Problems in South African cricket
This has especially been a very difficult year for South African cricket. Their players weren’t able to get into the ground for international cricket. A complete overhaul of Cricket South Africa. Misigivings about Smith, Kallis & Boucher. The Black Lives Matter movement. Harsh exchanges between Ngidi and former players and to top it all, the financial mess that CSA finds itself in. They board dearly needed this series to go ahead so that they can recover a partial amount. However, the England team decided to cancel the series and return to England.
Did England do the right thing?
Now there will be conflicting views on whether England did the right thing. A couple of their players were tested positive and there was a breach of the secure bubble. It is natural for a human to be apprehensive and be afraid for his life and his family’s well-being but to cancel a series is not something England must have done. Instead they could have waited and with no immediate international series to be played, they could have requested the South African board to schedule the ODI series a few days later until things settle down. This would have ensured that the loss incurred by CSA was minimised.
England only needed to look at their home summer when West Indies, Pakistan, Australia & Ireland helped the ECB to recoup the losses that they would have suffered if none of the game were held. Those teams were magnanimous with their presence but England chose to leave the cricket field as soon as something went wrong.
The KP impact
It probably requires a player and captain of the stature of Kevin Pietersen. A few years ago, England toured India for series of ODIs & Tests. This was when the Mumbai Taj Hotel attack happened. Just like now, the England players panicked and everyone left the tour and returned to their country after the limited overs series. There were still Tests to be played. It was Kevin Pietersen who convinced his teammates to come back to India and play the test series. The 3 test series was reduced to 2 and the first one proved to be a rather good game with England just a wicket away from victory but for some resolute batting from Sachin and Yuvaraj that ultimately got India the victory.
I think Eoin Morgan must have done something similar and he could have brought everyone it the England team around to the fact that their summer went well because certain teams were accommodating. Especially Australia who flew well over 10 overs just for 3 ODIs. It is time they give something back to another board who is facing financial crisis.
Other articles related to South African cricket can be read here and here.