SOUTH AFRICA'S CARIBBEAN TOUR POSTPONED

The Proteas tour to West Indies, as expected to postpone for an indefinite period due to the Covid-19 situation. The South African players have a busy and tight schedule later this year. As they are ready to participate in the Indian Premier League, which will be played in the United Arab Emirates. Earlier, the South African tour to Sri Lanka had also called off due to the outbreak of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown.

Cricket South Africa’s director of cricket, Graeme Smith held a virtual press conference where he made public, the decision to postpone the tour for an indeterminate period. The former Proteas’ skipper quoted as saying that with the IPL commencing in September in the UAE, it has become difficult to schedule and find time for any pending tour. The Indian Premier League enjoys an exclusive window in the calendar but its postponement has disrupted the pre-determined schedule of other nations. Smith said with the IPL commencing in September, the players required by their respective franchises, given the government approves and provides clearance for travel.

Smith further added that if the pandemic situation improves in the forthcoming months, especially from November, it would be a hectic period for South African cricket. As the Board would like to fit in several missed and pending tours.

Earlier this week, the news emerged that Imran Tahir is the only South African player who is participating in the Caribbean Premier League. The CPL is set to commence from 18^th August. and will play only in two stadiums due to the restrictions imposed on the Coronavirus situation. Several T20 specialists like that of Colin Ingram, Anrich Nortje, Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Rilee Rossouw will miss this edition of the Caribbean Premier League. They can't reach Trinidad by 1st  August. Due to travel restrictions and thus won't able to serve the fourteen-day quarantine period, as per their CPL contracts. However, the South African IPL contingent is expecting to reach the Emirates on time before the tournament commences in September.