By Fakir Hassen, IANS,
Johannesburg : The South African cricket squad will reap big financial benefits following its historic victory over Australia in their own back yard.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Gerald Majola confirmed that as shareholders of CSA the players would share in the profits of the body.
“In a way, the players are now each writing out their own cheques with their performances,” Majola told the Afrikaans daily Beeld Saturday.
“The better they perform and the more money that comes in, the more the players benefit from it.”
Majola said the first series win over Australia would not only definitely ensure a hefty bonus payment for the players, but would also result in long term benefit as there would now be greater interest in the game at home.
“There will now be unprecedented interest in the game for the (forthcoming) home series (against Australia) and with many more people streaming to the grounds, the players’ share of the financial benefits will be that much greater.
“The players realise that as shareholders of CSA, there is a responsibility on them to achieve, and thereby ensure that cricket (in South Africa) grows and is profitable.”
Tony Irish, chief executive of the South African Cricket Players’ Association, lauded CSA for the Australian success: “The administration of cricket in South Africa is very sound. This is a very happy team and there are no problems behind the scenes at CSA.”
Irish said this was not something that had been achieved overnight: “There has been hard work for the past few years to bring about this process.”
Irish said the players had contractual incentives to oust the Australians as the top team in the world.
“The players will therefore get bonuses for what they achieved in Australia, (but) the biggest bonus is actually what this victory will do for interest in the game in South Africa.
“With the public focusing more on the game and attending matches in large numbers, it will have a domino effect and grow the involvement of sponsors and other stakeholders in the sport.”