Graeme Smith accepts acting role at crisis-hit CSA

JOHANNESBURG: Former Test captain Graeme Smith on Wednesday agreed to become Cricket South Africa’s director of cricket - but only in an acting capacity.

In a brief statement, CSA said it had reached an agreement with Smith for a three-month appointment until the start of the next season of the Indian Premier League, which is expected to start in March.

The announcement came 15 days before the first of four Test matches against England, starting in Centurion on December 26. Smith’s appointment came against a background of crisis in South African cricket. Chief executive Thabang Moroe was suspended on charges of misconduct last week but the board, led by president Chris Nenzani, refused to heed widespread calls to resign.

The South African Cricketers’ Association, which represents the country’s professional players, on Monday repeated its call for the board to resign. SACA said it was prepared to deal with acting chief executive Jacques Faul - but not with any members of the board. Although Smith’s exact role was not made clear in the statement, he will have to move quickly to appoint a selection panel and coaching staff ahead of the England series.