Hmmm... I'm not sure, Michael. I've never been in favour of fans boycotting games because that negatively affects players most. And I believe the players are the most important part of the equation. All I want to do is return to writing and commentating about cricket. I hate this stuff. But I do want you all to be informed about what's going on behind the scenes. Not that I'm an expert. Or want to be one...
It's not just sportsmen and women, Garrick. Let's be honest - if almost any professional, in any industry, is offered the opportunity to work overseas at double or triple their salary, they will be tempted. But I've spent considerable time with many 'ex South Africans' in many countries and... it's not just about money. It may not be the easiest option, or the most appealing in times of frustration, but staying at home and trying to improve the situation may be the best bet. (Unless you get a REALLY big offer.)
When I take a step back, I think, is this a crisis for (a) "cricket", or is it a crisis for (b) "sponsor-led, televised, professional, centrally-managed cricket" ?
We have transferred too much of our love and affection to "the centre" and kept too little for our own parks, gardens and schools. The best revenge is to live well: go to your local park and set up a game right now. And use your old bat and wear un-branded** clothes if at all possible. That will make them grind their teeth in Glenhove Avenue. (** I don't see GM or NB standing up to help but maybe they are...very quietly)
Of course, the top end of the game draws us in, thrills us, and gives us hours of enjoyment. No argument there. I would prefer the top-end game to continue with tournaments and televised matches where I can see Morris, Shamsi and Ngidi having a full go at the batters. But at what cost?
Cricket should be seen as bigger than these chaps in Glenhove Avenue. It is bigger than Standard Bank, and bigger than Graeme Smith and Tendulkar and Bradman put together. We can play it for fun and we do. All the time.
But for the media, the sponsors, and the advertisers, it is all much easier to promote "professional cricket" as the whole thing when it is just a part, albeit a very shiny, noisy and exciting part. Imagine if we all watched famous people braai on television and forgot to braai at home? How crazy would that be? But that is what we are doing with cricket. (I bet Dean Elgar always burns the wors and Ntini would probably add the meat when the fire is still too hot.)
There is another side to all sport, including cricket. Just playing it for fun and enjoyment.
Maybe the much bigger problem is that we rely too much on "the centre". The universe does not require us to have one national team that will be sponsored and managed by Sascoc and CSA. There are many ways to have fun with a bat and ball. The current setup is not just about the behaviour of the board or the CEO.
Send Quinton and Themba and Rassie and to play at George Hay park, or Delta Park or Diepkloof Park. The advertising-laden stadia can rot for a while. And journos won't ever be stopped from entering our parks in Edenvale or Germiston. You can report on some very fine and dramatic games. We'll give you a box to sit on, but not a box to sit in.
Surely the individual franchises , players and sponsors ( if any are left) can simply refuse to support CSA in its current form! Kick the clowns out and put good administrators who love the game and the players into key roles!!
Idealistic but real, Mike. The fans and the sponsors hold ultimate control but it takes a revolution for them to take charge. If and when Supersport pull out the Mzansi Super League will be dead in the water and so will CSA. Only then can we hope to rebuild, but it will be from the very bottom of bankruptcy. CSA needs to be placed in administration right now.
So sad. I remember how this same process unfolded in Zimbabwean cricket 15 years ago as the looters and power grabbers seized control. The similarities are eerily similar. And look where Zim are now.
Well, the good news is that Zimbawe Cricket is in a financially better place than ever! It was placed in administration and basically had every cheque it signed overseen by the ICC. But you're correct. CSA is heading in that direction. I've spent at least the last 10 years saying 'it'll never happen here' and now I'm desperately questioning myself. Part of me is still in denial.
I have a close family relative that played franchise cricket and Proteas. He was told that as a white player he cant expect to play in all three formats...now what do you do as a young cricketer? You go overseas and play county cricket, where your talents are seen and appreciated. And you know what...he's never been happier! Is that all young white talented cricketers in SA's only options, In your opinion Manners?
There are many aspects to the discussion. South Africa has been a net exporter of cricketers for almost a century. We have the weather and facilities to produce far more first-class cricketers than we can employ, and that was just when it was whites only! Of course we shouldn't criticise young cricketers who seek their careers and fortunes overseas - just as we don't criticise young lawyers or accountants. Cricket is, by and large, a 'free market.' Take work wherever you can get it.
Cricket Capture is actually the perfect term. Our cricketing potential is really too high to be consumed by such darkness :( Who can fix it dear Neil and how?
CSA needs to be placed into administration and an emergency committee established to stop the train reaching the end of the line, which will happen within 18 months. The only saving grace is that there is no shortage of excellent, talented cricketers coming through the schools programme. If we stop producing quality players, the professional game will be gone permanently. But I don't see that happening.
My dear Craig. You had one of the best and most powerful influences on me as a young reporter and I respected everything about you as a player and a person, so I'm especiaally appreciative of your feedback. I asked a very oung Jacques Kallis which moments had shaped his learning process and he replied: "Being hit on the inner thigh six times in a row by Craig Matthews at early season nets." Hopefully we will come through this vexing time...
Feeling hugely frustrated at the state of the game in South Africa at the moment, and there is no value to social media spats amongst ex-players which purely hurts the image and brand. Wishing someone at CSA would take the game by the scruff of the neck and deal with the myriad of issues - I appreciate that it will be a long and arduous process, but denying the existence of the problems and challenges will not have a positive result.
Just so sad to see - please keep up the great work of exposing and writing about the realities, which allows us as outsiders to have an understanding and appreciation of what is going on from a trustworthy source.
That is a crying shame! Greed for personal power and financial gain has always and will always be destructive........it is anti-social and very selfish.
Hi Jacqueline, it is a crying shame. In years gone by board members and directors were paid R800 per meeting with flights and accomodation when meetings were out of town. There was a certain amount of 'prestige' involved but commitments had to be made, basically, on a love for the game. Since that changed, annual payments of R300,000 per director and over R400,000 for the president have led to a 'clinging to power' mentality which is (or has) destroyed the game. For the moment.
The rest of world cricket is looking on in horror at what our great friends in South Africa are going through at the moment. World Cricket needs a strong, vibrant and functioning game in South Africa. We are all praying that a solution can be found as soon as possible, in the meantime you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Thank you, Peter. Your concerns and best wishes are greatly appreciated. For the last 25 years there has been a common sentiment that world cricket 'needs' and is 'better off' when West Indies cricket is strong - hard to disagree with that. We face the reality, in my opinion, that while the rest of the cricket playing world would also like a strong South Africa, the majority sentiment will be 'they get what they deserve'.
Afternoon Manners. I’m battling to find words at the moment. Our beloved country is not only being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is another pandemic at play here. Self enrichment, entitlement, destruction, racism, reverse-racism, etc. Our great sport, as our country is being ripped apart. I pray every day for a miracle person/s that will be able to bring stability and sanity to our land. I find it extremely difficult to be be positive about our future! I can’t blame ANY of our cricketers looking for a future elsewhere. All they want to do is play the game they love.
Hi Niko, it is bleak at the moment. But you know what - there is a sunrise after every nightfall. I have lived through many cricket crises in the last 30 years. I wondered wether the game would ever recover during the Hansie Cronje crisis in 2000. It was bouncing along just a year later. Sort of. The difference this time is the underlying finances of the game. The total debt in two years time, on current (honest) forecasts, is close to R1billion. The domestic game will have to massively downsize in order to sirvive meaning the national team, provider of 95% of CSA's revenue, will be selected from a smaller base. Not ideal.
Our sports bodies are being “transformed” into looting treasure hunts. CSA will be bankrupt and close within 18 months. A couple of years later it will be rugby and athletics. It doesn’t matter what colour our administrators are but we need real sports people not cadres. Smith and Boucher will be snapped up overseas.
How do we as cricket supporters help? What can we do?
Hmmm... I'm not sure, Michael. I've never been in favour of fans boycotting games because that negatively affects players most. And I believe the players are the most important part of the equation. All I want to do is return to writing and commentating about cricket. I hate this stuff. But I do want you all to be informed about what's going on behind the scenes. Not that I'm an expert. Or want to be one...
Not a boycott at all - I was wondering whether there is a forum / platform where we could actively work for and demand better governance
Small wonder that more and more sportsmen and women of all codes are seeking their fortunes elsewhere. Who can blame them.
It's not just sportsmen and women, Garrick. Let's be honest - if almost any professional, in any industry, is offered the opportunity to work overseas at double or triple their salary, they will be tempted. But I've spent considerable time with many 'ex South Africans' in many countries and... it's not just about money. It may not be the easiest option, or the most appealing in times of frustration, but staying at home and trying to improve the situation may be the best bet. (Unless you get a REALLY big offer.)
Who are the members? What is their cricket history and credentials? Are we dealing with deployed cadre rent seekers or cricket lovers?
When I take a step back, I think, is this a crisis for (a) "cricket", or is it a crisis for (b) "sponsor-led, televised, professional, centrally-managed cricket" ?
We have transferred too much of our love and affection to "the centre" and kept too little for our own parks, gardens and schools. The best revenge is to live well: go to your local park and set up a game right now. And use your old bat and wear un-branded** clothes if at all possible. That will make them grind their teeth in Glenhove Avenue. (** I don't see GM or NB standing up to help but maybe they are...very quietly)
Of course, the top end of the game draws us in, thrills us, and gives us hours of enjoyment. No argument there. I would prefer the top-end game to continue with tournaments and televised matches where I can see Morris, Shamsi and Ngidi having a full go at the batters. But at what cost?
Cricket should be seen as bigger than these chaps in Glenhove Avenue. It is bigger than Standard Bank, and bigger than Graeme Smith and Tendulkar and Bradman put together. We can play it for fun and we do. All the time.
But for the media, the sponsors, and the advertisers, it is all much easier to promote "professional cricket" as the whole thing when it is just a part, albeit a very shiny, noisy and exciting part. Imagine if we all watched famous people braai on television and forgot to braai at home? How crazy would that be? But that is what we are doing with cricket. (I bet Dean Elgar always burns the wors and Ntini would probably add the meat when the fire is still too hot.)
There is another side to all sport, including cricket. Just playing it for fun and enjoyment.
Maybe the much bigger problem is that we rely too much on "the centre". The universe does not require us to have one national team that will be sponsored and managed by Sascoc and CSA. There are many ways to have fun with a bat and ball. The current setup is not just about the behaviour of the board or the CEO.
Send Quinton and Themba and Rassie and to play at George Hay park, or Delta Park or Diepkloof Park. The advertising-laden stadia can rot for a while. And journos won't ever be stopped from entering our parks in Edenvale or Germiston. You can report on some very fine and dramatic games. We'll give you a box to sit on, but not a box to sit in.
Surely the individual franchises , players and sponsors ( if any are left) can simply refuse to support CSA in its current form! Kick the clowns out and put good administrators who love the game and the players into key roles!!
Idealistic but real, Mike. The fans and the sponsors hold ultimate control but it takes a revolution for them to take charge. If and when Supersport pull out the Mzansi Super League will be dead in the water and so will CSA. Only then can we hope to rebuild, but it will be from the very bottom of bankruptcy. CSA needs to be placed in administration right now.
So sad. I remember how this same process unfolded in Zimbabwean cricket 15 years ago as the looters and power grabbers seized control. The similarities are eerily similar. And look where Zim are now.
Well, the good news is that Zimbawe Cricket is in a financially better place than ever! It was placed in administration and basically had every cheque it signed overseen by the ICC. But you're correct. CSA is heading in that direction. I've spent at least the last 10 years saying 'it'll never happen here' and now I'm desperately questioning myself. Part of me is still in denial.
I have a close family relative that played franchise cricket and Proteas. He was told that as a white player he cant expect to play in all three formats...now what do you do as a young cricketer? You go overseas and play county cricket, where your talents are seen and appreciated. And you know what...he's never been happier! Is that all young white talented cricketers in SA's only options, In your opinion Manners?
There are many aspects to the discussion. South Africa has been a net exporter of cricketers for almost a century. We have the weather and facilities to produce far more first-class cricketers than we can employ, and that was just when it was whites only! Of course we shouldn't criticise young cricketers who seek their careers and fortunes overseas - just as we don't criticise young lawyers or accountants. Cricket is, by and large, a 'free market.' Take work wherever you can get it.
Bring out the guilotine now..publicly remove the mentally challenged
You're angry and frustrated, presumably, but we are trying to stick to reasoned argument and discussion... :)
Cricket Capture is actually the perfect term. Our cricketing potential is really too high to be consumed by such darkness :( Who can fix it dear Neil and how?
CSA needs to be placed into administration and an emergency committee established to stop the train reaching the end of the line, which will happen within 18 months. The only saving grace is that there is no shortage of excellent, talented cricketers coming through the schools programme. If we stop producing quality players, the professional game will be gone permanently. But I don't see that happening.
Thanks for the response, Neil. On point as always!
Thanks Manners, great to get some understanding of the underworld of the game that gave me so much.
My dear Craig. You had one of the best and most powerful influences on me as a young reporter and I respected everything about you as a player and a person, so I'm especiaally appreciative of your feedback. I asked a very oung Jacques Kallis which moments had shaped his learning process and he replied: "Being hit on the inner thigh six times in a row by Craig Matthews at early season nets." Hopefully we will come through this vexing time...
Morning Manners
Thanks for your kind words, much appreciated
Feeling hugely frustrated at the state of the game in South Africa at the moment, and there is no value to social media spats amongst ex-players which purely hurts the image and brand. Wishing someone at CSA would take the game by the scruff of the neck and deal with the myriad of issues - I appreciate that it will be a long and arduous process, but denying the existence of the problems and challenges will not have a positive result.
Just so sad to see - please keep up the great work of exposing and writing about the realities, which allows us as outsiders to have an understanding and appreciation of what is going on from a trustworthy source.
Kind regards
Craig
That is a crying shame! Greed for personal power and financial gain has always and will always be destructive........it is anti-social and very selfish.
Hi Jacqueline, it is a crying shame. In years gone by board members and directors were paid R800 per meeting with flights and accomodation when meetings were out of town. There was a certain amount of 'prestige' involved but commitments had to be made, basically, on a love for the game. Since that changed, annual payments of R300,000 per director and over R400,000 for the president have led to a 'clinging to power' mentality which is (or has) destroyed the game. For the moment.
The rest of world cricket is looking on in horror at what our great friends in South Africa are going through at the moment. World Cricket needs a strong, vibrant and functioning game in South Africa. We are all praying that a solution can be found as soon as possible, in the meantime you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Thank you, Peter. Your concerns and best wishes are greatly appreciated. For the last 25 years there has been a common sentiment that world cricket 'needs' and is 'better off' when West Indies cricket is strong - hard to disagree with that. We face the reality, in my opinion, that while the rest of the cricket playing world would also like a strong South Africa, the majority sentiment will be 'they get what they deserve'.
Great to hear from you my friend. How are things in CT? I was hoping to get over this winter? ATB Peter
Afternoon Manners. I’m battling to find words at the moment. Our beloved country is not only being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is another pandemic at play here. Self enrichment, entitlement, destruction, racism, reverse-racism, etc. Our great sport, as our country is being ripped apart. I pray every day for a miracle person/s that will be able to bring stability and sanity to our land. I find it extremely difficult to be be positive about our future! I can’t blame ANY of our cricketers looking for a future elsewhere. All they want to do is play the game they love.
Hi Niko, it is bleak at the moment. But you know what - there is a sunrise after every nightfall. I have lived through many cricket crises in the last 30 years. I wondered wether the game would ever recover during the Hansie Cronje crisis in 2000. It was bouncing along just a year later. Sort of. The difference this time is the underlying finances of the game. The total debt in two years time, on current (honest) forecasts, is close to R1billion. The domestic game will have to massively downsize in order to sirvive meaning the national team, provider of 95% of CSA's revenue, will be selected from a smaller base. Not ideal.
Our sports bodies are being “transformed” into looting treasure hunts. CSA will be bankrupt and close within 18 months. A couple of years later it will be rugby and athletics. It doesn’t matter what colour our administrators are but we need real sports people not cadres. Smith and Boucher will be snapped up overseas.
Hi David, I understand your pessimism but will attempt not to share it. Until the worst happens, we have to hope for the best.