CSA has said that it has taken a risk with an eye on “securing the long-term sustainability of the game” by forfeiting three ODIs in Australia, which form part of the direct-qualification pathway for the next 50-over World Cup. The reason for the decision is to launch its own T20 franchise league, but there is acknowledgement that not qualifying for the 2023 ODI World Cup will be “a disaster”.
“The players are disappointed that the ODIs in Australia will not happen but they understood the reasons,” Pholetsi Moseki, CSA’s chief executive, told ESPNcricinfo. “A lot of people are investing a lot of money in the T20 league, and we have to give it the best chance of success.”
Moseki spoke to head coach Mark Boucher and white-ball captain Temba Bavuma first, and also had a 45-minute meeting with the entire squad, including Test captain Dean Elgar. “They were not exactly happy but they understood the long-term importance of the decision,” Moseki said.
South Africa currently lie 11th on the World Cup Super League points table and will play matches against England (three, at home), India (three, away) and Netherlands (two, at home). After opting out of the Australia fixtures, they face the possibility of a qualifying campaign in Zimbabwe next May, which the national team has accepted could be part of the schedule as CSA looks to establish an independently owned league.
This article was originally published by Espncricinfo.com. Read the original article here.