'He is the right person' - Graeme Smith backs Sourav Ganguly to become the next ICC Chief

South Africa’s director of cricket Graeme Smith, on Thursday, heaped praise on former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly. Smith made a strong call and backed Ganguly to be the next chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

According to Smith, current BCCI President Ganguly is the right person to lead the sport at a time when the whole world is battling against COVID-19 crisis. Smith believes that the game will need someone strong to lead after COVID-19 pandemic subsides. Hence, Ganguly, due to his leadership credentials and closeness to the modern game, will be a perfect choice for the role.

“It is very important to have the right person as head of the ICC,” said Smith. “Post-COVID, cricket will need strong leadership and it is time for someone close to the modern game with leadership credentials to get into the position,” he added.

South Africa are set to lock horns with India in a T20I series

While speaking in a teleconference, Smith backed Ganguly for the role after Cricket South Africa interim chief director Jacques Faul revealed that the Proteas are set to host a three-match T20I series against the Men in Blue in August. However, there is a lot of uncertainty over its commencement as it would require the permission of governments of both the nations.

Faul also said that he welcomed Smith’s call for Ganguly to head the ICC, but cautioned that it was not yet official policy endorsed by the CSA board.

Shashank Manohar, the current chairman of ICC, had said last December that he would not seek re-election after his tenure expires at the end of May 2020.

Apart from backing Ganguly, Smith also spilt the beans on the series between South Africa and West Indies, which was slated to start in July. At the moment, the series is likely to be delayed, depending on the finalisation of plans for the West Indies to tour England.

Smith said it is possible that the matches could be played at neutral venues but nothing in certain at present. . “Nothing is cast in stone at the moment,” stated Smith.