South African cricket in turmoil after board gets suspended

Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee investigating board's conduct

South Africa cricket board has been suspended. Image for representation. AFP

Cricket in South Africa slipped into turmoil after the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) suspended its board while a task team investigates its conduct.

The embattled board of Cricket South Africa was asked to step aside after, among other things, failing to share a damning report that led to the sacking of former chief executive Thabang Moroe nine months after he was first suspended, Reuters reported.

It also follows heavy criticism from sponsors and national team players, the latter accusing the board of "self-interest" in failing to deal adequately with the contents of the report.

"CSA does not agree with the resolution taken by SASCOC and has not had the opportunity to engage with SASCOC on various issues raised in the communication," CSA said in a statement on Friday.

"In addition, CSA is taking legal advice regarding the basis on which SASCOC has sought to intervene in the business affairs of CSA.

"CSA does, however, commit to engaging further with SASCOC to understand its position and to find common ground with it in the best interests of cricket."

SASCOC acting chief executive Ravi Govender said the intervention was needed to allow a thorough investigation of the board’s conduct that has drawn widespread criticism.

"We are deeply concerned about the issues that have been permeating around CSA recently," Govender said. "We met with the board and requested sight of the elusive forensic report, which has not been forthcoming.

"The International Cricket Council have also expressed some concerns and we believe our decision is warranted, and that it will be embraced by the ICC," he said.