Cricket South Africa (CSA) Director Graeme Smith has claimed that none of his country’s players, who were a part of the just postponed Indian Premier League (IPL) 20201, “felt at risk” during their stay in India as the BCCI had created and manged a good Bio-Secure Environment (BSE).
Notably, the 14th season of the cash-rich league was postponed on May 4 as several COVID-19 positive cases emerged inside the league’s bio-bubble.
The 11 South Africans, who were a part of the tournament, have already left for their home.
“In no way would we judge. Having spoken to the players, they felt safe. They felt the BSE (Bio-Secure Environment) was a really good experience in India. They never felt at risk. But that’s the nature of what COVID brings,” Smith said during a news conference.
The former South Africa skipper also said that amid a raging pandemic, the element of risk is always there and the organisers can’t be blamed for the mishap.
“Sometimes you can do whatever you want but the BSE – as we’ve said to everyone – is never foolproof. When COVID is raging in your country there’s always a risk. Unfortunately once it gets inside it’s very difficult to predict what’s going to happen,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, Smith also praised the BCCI for its effort to ensure the safe departure for all the South African players saying: “The duty of care (the BCCI has) shown in getting everyone home has been exemplary. From our own players’ perspective it’s been made slightly easier in that our borders aren’t closed and there’s still commercial travel available for them.”
“You see some of those players sitting there at the IPL and not making any noise. Having had experience of things here you do see some things differently, and (you see) a version of double standards. It’s disappointing,” he added.