South Africa players to resume training soon

Nathi Mthethwa, South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture has enabled the return of professional cricket in his announcement on Saturday (May 30). Cricket South Africa is expected to come up with regulations for the sport to resume.



“This is a big boost for the operational side of our cricket,” said Dr. Jacques Faul, CSA’s Acting CEO, expressing gratitude to the Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA). “We have been in regular contact with SRSA and the Minister and they have been very supportive of the game in these difficult times.”



“At this stage these regulations apply only to professional cricket and our next step will be to draw up a protocol covering the return to training and playing and submit it to SRSA for approval. I will immediately be calling a meeting of our COVID Steering Committee on Monday to get this process under way.”



ALSO READ: Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp head CSA nominations list



All sport world over had come to a standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic. After the T20 World Cup, Australia were to tour South Africa at the end of March, but it had to be cancelled. The Proteas are slated to tour England in September and the boards of both the sides are in talks.



“Both our national teams and our franchises will in due time be given the green light to return to training,” said Faul.



“I have already had discussions with the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) and I would like to stress that no player, coach, support staff or administrator wiJune ll be forced to return to training if they are uncomfortable with it at this stage.”



Earlier, the England and Wales Cricket Board had confirmed that the women would resume training from June 22 and there are chances of a tri-series featuring India and South Africa apart from them, the hosts.