• CSA engaging with IPL over return of SA players

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    Cricket South Africa is currently negotiating the possible return of South African players from India after the IPL was indefinitely suspended on Tuesday.

    Organisers of the T20 competition released a statement on Tuesday morning after players and staff members from the Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings tested positive for Covid-19 in recent days.

    India is currently fighting a severe coronavirus variant, which has led to record numbers of daily infections and deaths.

    Quinton de Kock (Mumbai Indians), Faf du Plessis (CSK), Lungi Ngidi (CSK), Imran Tahir (CSK), Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Capitals), Anrich Nortje (Delhi Capitals), AB de Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Marco Jansen (Mumbai Indians), David Miller (Rajasthan Royals), Chris Morris (Rajasthan Royals) and Gerald Coetzee (Rajasthan Royals) are the 11 South African players currently in India.

    CSA will look to get the players back to South Africa as soon as possible if the IPL was to be called off completely.

    ‘The BCCI will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021,’ read the statement from the BCCI on Tuesday.

    A CSA statement on Tuesday read:

    ‘Cricket South Africa (CSA) has noted the postponement of the 2021 season of Indian Premier League (IPL) due to COVID-19 safety reasons.

    ‘CSA supports the decision to put the health and safety interests of all involved in the tournament first and foremost and has made contact with all of the relevant franchises to ensure the expedited travel of all South African players and support staff back to our shores.

    ‘Those travelling back to South Africa will undergo home quarantine in line with the current World Health Organization recommendations.

    ‘CSA and the South African Cricketers Association (SACA) are in contact with all players and are assured of their safety and comfort in their respective locations.

    ‘CSA wishes to extend its well wishes and support to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the people of India and thank the BCCI for keeping our players safe during this challenging time.’

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    Andre Huisamen