Revenue loss ‘not to blame for fewer contracts’

Times Media - February 19, 2014

TELFORD VICE, Port Elizabeth

A glance at Cricket SA’s (CSA) list of contracted players released last night could create the impression that the effects of this season’s Indian tour debacle are starting to bite.

Seventeen players have been contracted, down from last year’s 22. Those who have missed out are Marchant de Lange, Dean Elgar, Thami Tsolekile, Colin Ingram and Aaron Phangiso.

CSA lost R318-million in projected revenue because India shortened their tour to SA this season from 12 to five matches.

But, according to SA Cricketers’ Association (SACA) chief executive Tony Irish, the money that CSA did not make is not the cause of the reduced number of contracts.

“The whole structure has been negotiated between SACA and CSA,” Irish said. “It is based on the optimal number of players who represent SA, and that number is 17.”

The new faces among the contracted players are Quinton de Kock and David Miller. Jacques Kallis, meanwhile, has been given a one-year deal to, a CSA release said, “recognise his immense contribution to SA cricket over a long period of time and to secure his availability for the ODI squad”.

Eight of the players, who were not specified, were awarded two-year contracts. Twelve other franchise players would be put on “top-up” CSA contracts.

CSA contracted players: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.