Cricket South Africa’s director of cricket Graeme Smith must reapply for his position when his contract concludes at the end of March.
This is according to Lawson Naidoo, independent board chairman.
Smith, the former Proteas captain, has been in the position since December 2019, initially in a temporary role before it was made permanent in April 2020 for two years with an option to renew for a further year.
The manner in which Smith was appointed to the position originally was discussed at the Cricket for Social Justice and Nation-building (SJN) hearings. Smith’s lawyer David Becker has said that the SJN process was fundamentally flawed.
Becker would not comment on the issue of Smith’s position
Naidoo said the board had taken a decision for the position to be advertised, leaving Smith’s future with the organisation unclear.
“Graeme’s contract will come to a conclusion at the end of next month and the board took a decision to advertise the post,” Naidoo said.
“The principal position is that we will advertise the post and if it is necessary to add a head-hunting component, we’ll do so.
“The position we’ve taken is that positions must be advertised, and that particular position will be advertised.”
The lack of clarity with regards to Smith’s future with CSA also raises questions on whether disciplinary proceedings against him will take place.
Smith was also named as a person who was to face disciplinary steps after Proteas coach Mark Boucher was notified of the disciplinary proceedings to be taken against him.
“Our respective legal teams are in discussion to finalise the terms of Smith’s process,” Naidoo said.
[Photo: Bertram Malgas/Gallo Images]