CSA director of coaching Smith to be charged alongside coach Boucher

Cricket director in line to be charged along with Proteas coach Mark Boucher

● Mark Boucher is in the firing line and director of cricket Graeme Smith has joined him in Cricket SA’s crosshairs.

Proteas coach Boucher has been accused of gross misconduct for which he will appear at a disciplinary hearing.

Smith, a CSA insider has revealed to the Sunday Times, has also been charged with what it deems was his irregular appointment as director of cricket in 2019.

If CSA has its way, both appear destined for the exit.

Boucher’s conduct has resulted in an “irretrievable breakdown in the trust relationship between you and CSA”, the governing body said in the charge sheet it sent the former wicketkeeper last Monday.

It is difficult to see CSA backing off from that position and though Boucher has a contract that runs until next year, the parties are likely to go their separate ways before then.

Appointed twice

Smith, whose 2019 appointment was temporary, was given a contract extension in March 2020. That contract is due to expire in two months, but CSA appears ready to press ahead with proceedings against the former Proteas captain for the way in which he was appointed.

“It looks like they are charging him for being the director of cricket,” said the insider, who did not want to be named.

“Thabang Moroe headhunted him and the board at the time approved it. In fact, he was appointed twice. Other candidates also went through the process. You could argue that the first appointment was irregular, but it is not an irrational decision. It is for the position of director of cricket, not an accountant. This should not be at Smith’s door.”

The source said Smith might not want to reapply for the job because he has options.

The fact that Smith will be charged with two months remaining on his contract perhaps reveals CSA’s eagerness to act on the recommendations of the Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) report.

Much of what Boucher and Smith are accused of is based on testimony at the SJN hearings.

“They have to do something in the wake of the SJN hearings,” said the source. “You can’t ignore it. I have sympathy for the board because this was not their making. The ball was kicked to where they are and now they need to do something with it. I do, however, get the sense they will be driven by ‘what makes us look good’.”

Many cricket fans frustrated

CSA this week provoked the ire of many cricket fans when it announced the moves against Boucher on the eve of the second ODI against India in Paarl. “They could have waited until India board their plane,” many grumbled.

Though it was CSA’s plan to announce its intention to charge Boucher after India left the country, it could not keep a lid on it after sending Boucher the charge sheet last Monday.

In the charge sheet, CSA argued for Boucher’s dismissal as a result of gross misconduct and bringing CSA into disrepute through his involvement in, or handling of, racial issues in the Proteas set-up.

Perhaps the most damning charge against Boucher was the part he played in a team song that contained the words “brown shit” directed at his then teammate Paul Adams.

Adams gave emotional testimony at the SJN hearings. Boucher admitted singing the song, but pointed out he did not compose the lyrics. He apologised for his behaviour in a written affidavit. The source said Boucher should have shown more contrition and should have appeared in person.

Boucher has also been charged with improper conduct for his handling of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) issue within the team.

He has also been accused of poor man management for his role in former assistant coach Enoch Nkwe’s resignation.

The source questioned why the Nkwe matter formed part of the charge sheet. “It looks like they opted to throw everything at Boucher hoping something sticks.”

The parties need to decide on a time frame for the hearings on Wednesday. The hearing is unlikely to start until the Proteas return from their tour of New Zealand at the end of February.

All this unfolded in a week when the Proteas secured an ODI series win over India, after doing the same in the Test series.

Proteas keep eye on the ball

The players did not appear weighed down by what has been happening behind the scenes.

“Every time we go out and play, we play for the team, everyone in the team and the country as well,” said Janneman Malan. “That is the kind of responsibility we have as a team as well. Nothing changed on that side.

“It is a big series we have in front of us. We can’t have many distractions in terms of personal mindsets.”

It is a big series we have in front of us. We can’t have many distractions in terms of personal mindsets

Janneman Malan