Things could fall apart if contracts aren’t sorted quickly
The next two months are critical for the six franchise teams as they rebuild their squads for the new season. They have a budget allocation — a salary cap — and they have to work within it.
Some players will be released, some signed. It’s not just coaches and administrators who need to know what’s going on, it’s the players too. Some have no idea what their future holds and, for two months, no way to plan for it.
Cricket SA’s apparent inability to comprehend the effect of its delays is withering. If it does understand the consequences and the attitude is disdain, then the relationship between the governing body and its players can be written off for at least this generation.
A recently retired international cricketer said at the weekend: “Everybody knows there are five or six senior guys desperate to play in the World Cup and will probably then retire from international cricket, but I promise you they’re not going to hang around for another year with the ground being shifted under their feet.
“A year is a long time and a lot of money in the T20 leagues. They also have families and futures to think about. I don’t think the bosses at Cricket SA realise how many Proteas have very real options — even some of the top franchise cricketers. They have options and will use them unless they know and trust what is happening.”
One of those options is for the most “in demand” Proteas to opt against signing a new contract and remain “freelance”. They need not retire from international cricket but could be available for selection on their terms, much like the top West Indian players.
Cricket SA could instruct the selectors not to pick them, but where would that leave us?
Ironically, Cricket SA’s failure to renew the memorandum of understanding does not just adversely affect the players. Saca owns the players’ commercial rights, including their image rights, and sells them to Cricket SA as part of the memorandum of understanding. Without them Cricket SA and its commercial partners cannot use any player images, not even on its own website. Which would make the annual awards a bit awkward on June 2.