Graeme Smith gets a clean chit
Graeme Smith Gets A Clean Chit: Cricket South Africa reported that Graeme Smith, the former South Africa captain and current director of cricket, had been cleared of the racism accusations. Last year, the Social Justice and Nation Building Ombudsman published “tentative findings” investigating alleged racism inside the sport’s national governing organization. Smith and current head coach Mark Boucher were among a number of CSA staff implicated.
Former teammate Paul Adams has accused Boucher of racism and of excluding his former assistant coach Enoch Nkwe from the coaching staff. He has disputed both claims and will face a CSA penal hearing next month on charges of severe misconduct.
There was no proof that former South African captain Graeme smith racially discriminated against the former player or was biassed against Black leadership at CSA, according to the panel. It went on to say that the claim that Smith chose Boucher over Nkwe during the 2019 head coach hiring process was untrue.
It further said that the claim that Smith favored Boucher over Nkwe during the 2019 head coach appointment process was without substance.
“The manner in which these concerns have been handled… underscores CSA’s resolve to approach the SJN issues with the highest seriousness while also ensuring fairness, due process, and finality,” stated Lawson Naidoo, head of the CSA board.
“Now that these proceedings have come to a close, it’s time to acknowledge Graeme’s incredible contribution to South African cricket.”
“Now that these procedures have reached their conclusion, it is fair to recognize Graeme’s outstanding contribution to South African cricket, first as the longest-serving Test captain in history and then as Director of Cricket from 2019 to 2022.” In an official Cricket South Africa (CSA) announcement, Lawson Naidoo, Chair of the CSA Board, noted, “His contribution as the DoC has been essential in rebuilding the Proteas Men’s squad in particular and has built a firm platform for his successor.”
Smith’s time at CSA has already ended. The 41-year-contract old’s expired on March 31, and he elected not to reapply, causing CSA to advertise the job.
“We understand that Graeme seeks new challenges in the commercial and cricket sectors following his stint as the DoC.” He has a long career ahead of him, and we really hope that he will continue to engage in cricket inappropriate roles in the future,” Naidoo added.
