CSA suspends interim director of cricket Corrie van Zyl just ahead of MSL 2019

Days after South Africa’s horrific tour of India came to an end, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has reportedly suspended interim director of cricket Corrie van Zyl. While several sources confirmed the development of a leading media outlet, CSA is yet to release its official statement about the same.

Van Zyl is not the only official placed on suspension and is joined on the sidelines by chief operating officer Naasei Appiah as well as Clive Eksteen, the commercial manager at CSA.

ESPNcricinfo released the news although they did not reveal the reason for the suspension. The suspensions come ten days before the start of the second season of the Mzansi Super League (MSL). All the three suspended officials had worked on the MSL, a project all three worked on, with CSA still in a state of flux over the management of the national men’s team.

CSA had decided to restructure the coaching positions after South Africa’s horrible performance in the World Cup. Consequently, van Zyl was serving in an interim capacity as director of cricket and last week he confirmed his intention to apply for the role permanently. The report further claimed that Appiah fell out with CSA CEO Thabang Moroe which could have played a big part in his removal.

On the other hand, Eksteen, who had been suspended in March 2018 for his role in the Sonny Bill Williams mask saga during Australia’s tour, was working for CSA since last May. CSA, nonetheless, is expected to make an official statement on the suspension on Wednesday morning.

South African cricket in turmoil

The ongoing year has been nothing less than a disaster for South Africa. The year started on a promising note as they beat Pakistan in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. But since then, it has all gone downhill. They lost the Test series against Sri Lanka at home. A couple of months later, the Proteas performed disastrously in the World Cup and bowed out at the league stage.

Their fortunes further worsened on the recent trip to India. While they managed to draw the T20I series 1-1, they were thoroughly outplayed in Tests. India were all over the Faf du Plessis-led side and swept the three-match series.

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