South Africa ‘s cricket director, Graeme Smith, praised former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly on Thursday. Smith made a great call and endorsed Ganguly to become the next International Cricket Council (ICC), chairman.
Smith said that according to him Ganguly who is the present president of BCCI is the right person to lead the sport. Smith is confident that after COVID-19 pandemic subsidies, this game will need someone reliable. Ganguly will, therefore, be a perfect choice for this role with his leadership credentials and his closeness to the modern game.
“The right person as ICC chief is essential,” Smith said. “Post-COVID, cricket will have a strong leadership role, and the time has come for someone close to the modern game to take the lead,” he added.
South Africa is set to lock the horns with India in the T20I series.
While Smith spoke at a videoconference, and he supported Ganguly as Interim CEO Jacques Faul disclosed that Proteas is scheduled to host a T20I three-match series in August in between India and South Africa. There is, however, some confusion as the governments of both nations will need approval.
He also accepted Ganguly ‘s appeal to head the ICC but warned that the CSA Board had not yet approved its official rule.
Last December, Shashank Manohar, ICC’s current president, announced that after the end of its tenure he would not seek re-election.
Smith also split the beans on the South African-West Indian series, which scheduled to start in July, with the backing of Ganguly. Depending on the completion of west indies tour plans, the series is likely to be postponed.
Smith said it is possible, but currently nothing certain, to play the matches at neutral venues. “no one currently cast in stone,” Smith said.
