MUMBAI: The decision to postpone the Global T20 League to November 2018 has left Cricket South Africa with a host of problems on its hands, the prime of which are losses to the tune of $6 million and $8 million every year for the next five years.
CSA elected to pull the plug on the inaugural edition of the much hyped tournament on Tuesday, 24 days before it was to get underway. It could now face legal battles with cricketers who could claim compensation from the organisers, from investors who had bought into the franchises, and not least, with former chief executive Haroon Lorgat, who has now been accused of withholding information on the league.
Eight franchises had been put in place and 144 players drafted for the inaugural season, one of whom was Indian actor and Indian Premier League (IPL) Kings XI Punjab team co-owner Preity Zinta who bought the Stellenbosch franchise and renamed it the Stellenbosch Kings.
Lorgat had been the main driver of the Global T20, and Moroe accused the former ICC CEO of withholding information.
“The board obviously takes full responsibility because it took its trust and placed it in the hands of a few individuals,” Moroe has been quoted by media reports as saying. “Not all of the information required to be comfortable to continue with the league was forthcoming. Some of it is still not forthcoming. It only makes sense for the board to postpone this league and look into the matters of this league, as well as CSA, and come out with facts and a way forward.”
A full investigation into charges against Lorgat is expected to be completed next month, and this will include his dealings with the franchise owners. Moroe said that the league’s postponement did not necessarily mean that franchise owners could change, but confirmed that CSA would investigate how they were brought on board. “We need to look at the facts. That means that information that EY is currently sitting with needs to come to CSA, and us calling our lawyers and saying: ‘Have a look at this in terms of what CSA has been entered into, and tell us if due process was followed and everyone was treated the same. If monies were paid for license fees and so forth.’ We definitely need to look at the entire picture for us to pass judgment.”
Meanwhile, South African Cricketers’ Association made it clear that the players would be seeking compensation. “At this stage we’re unsure of exactly what a postponement means other than the fact that it’s clear the league will not take place this year. We will be seeking clarity from CSA on the further implications,” SACA chief executive Tony Irish said in a statement.
Also read:
T20 Global League postponed to November 2018
