Cricket Australia's double-standards exposed, Graeme Smith makes valid point

In February 2021, Cricket Australia cancelled the three-Test series against South Africa due to the coronavirus situation. The series was part of the ICC World Test Championship. It was a crucial series for Australia, who were battling for the final spot with India. After having lost the series at home to Ajinkya Rahane’s side, the South Africa series was crucial. A win would seal their spot in the final against New Zealand in Southampton.

The statements given by Cricket Australia Interim CEO Nick Hockley for the cancellation was, “Due to the public-health situation in South Africa, which includes a second wave and new variant of the virus, and following extensive due diligence with medical experts, it has become clear that traveling from Australia to South Africa at this current time poses an unacceptable level of health and safety risk to our players, support staff and the community.”

Cricket South Africa complained to the International Cricket Council. The board added that Cricket Australia got the facts wrong. In February 2, the South African variant of the coronavirus had subsided after reaching a peak in January. Deaths and infections were coming down.

Double standards exposed

Two months later, when India was reeling with the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, Cricket Australia sent players to India for the Indian Premier League. Before the league started in April, India was recording cases in excess of 350,000 and there were deaths in excess of 1000. 

Now, the question remains? What was different when Australia cancelled the tour of South Africa and come to the IPL? Was the coronavirus infection rate different? Neither of the above. It was double standards, fueled by the greed and lure of big money the IPL offers. Cricket Australia was financially in the doldrums. They hosted India for a full tour despite several broadcasting issues. 

Getting the players to the IPL would have landed them a financial windfall. That is where Cricket Australia fell victim to the double standards. Graeme Smith, director of Cricket South Africa was apt in stating, “You see some of those players sitting there at the IPL and not making any noise. Having had the experience of things here you do see some things differently, and (you see) a version of double standards. It’s disappointing,” Smith said. 

No justification from Australia

There can be no justification Cricket Australia can offer. In fact, they have been caught on the wrong foot in canceling the tour to South Africa. Before Australia, South Africa successfully hosted Sri Lanka and England. However, in the England series, there were some ‘false positives’ that saw the tour end abruptly after the Twenty20 series was completed.

The fact that Australia chose to cancel the Proteas tour at a time when cases had reduced to 2000 per day suggested they were ill-informed. To get the players to India when cases were at 350,000 symbolised greed and ignorance. 

Australia is facing moral corruption in their cricket. In the last three months, they have shown that what matters is money. Bilateral series, even if it is under the broader umbrella of a major ICC event like the World Test Championships, can be ignored. The coronavirus gave Cricket Australia the garb to mask their intentions. The mask has been removed.