INDIA-S AFRICA SERIES A REALITY IN AUG?

BCCI, CSA IN CONSTANT TOUCH OVER 3 POTENTIALLY LUCRATIVE T20S

CAPETOWN: South Africa are optimistic about hosting India for three lucrative T20s in late August, but are trying to find new dates for their proposed tour to the West Indies. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has already had to postpone a limited overs series in Sri Lanka, but has earmarked the visit by India to raise muchneeded revenue. CSA director of cricket Graeme Smith says the body is in constant contact with the BCCI. “We have been talking to them and the commitment is there to get the three T20s done,” Smith said at a news conference on Thursday.

“There is an element of guesswork, no-one knows what things will be like at the end of August.

“But we believe we are a socially-distanced sport and that we can play behind closed doors.”

CSA may put in place a “biobubble” model to protect players and stakeholders from coronavirus. In the bio-bubble or bio-secure model, a venue should have the capacity to house around 350 people—including players, broadcasters, media and other staff—either on site or very close by. The venue should have a 171room hotel in the ground and another with 176 rooms adjacent.

The Proteas were due to tour West Indies in late July for two Test matches and five T20s, and Smith confirmed they are looking at all options for those matches, including playing at neutral venues or in South Africa.

CSA WANTS GANGULY AS ICC CHAIRMAN: SMITH

Graeme Smith expressed his support for BCCI president Sourav Ganguly to take over the ICC chairmanship after Shashank Manohar’s term ends this month.

Due to the current situation, there might be a case of Manohar’s extension for two months, but Smith’s backing of Ganguly comes as a new twist in the story with England and Wales Cricket Board’s former chairman Colin Graves being favourite till now.