Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith, who was appointed to the role of director of cricket at the end of 2019, will sever his relationship with cricket South Africa.
Smith’s contract was extended by two years in April 2020.
Among Smith’s first decisions when appointed as director of cricket back in December 2019 was to appoint his former team-mate Mark Boucher on a four-year contract ahead of England’s tour to South Africa.
However, it has emerged that Boucher was said to have been appointed without an interview process having taken place and allegedly lacked the required Level 4 coaching qualification required for the job.
Smith’s contract with CSA expired at the end of March with the position set to be advertised.
According to Sport24, CEO Pholetsi Moseki has said the ongoing disciplinary process against Smith was simply for ‘closure’, and that he had not applied for a continued role as director of cricket.
“No, he didn’t continue in the role after his contract ended at the end of March. Now, both parties are waiting for the arbitrator’s report for closure for both parties, so that we can see what will happen in the future.
“As far as his contract is concerned, that ended; there was no [rolling] extension. I haven’t seen all the applications, but he didn’t put his name in the pot for the position again,” he said.
“So, his employment with us ended 31 March. We are hoping to finalise the new appointment as soon as possible, hopefully within a month or two.”
The findings of the Ombudsman revealed that the appointment of Smith and Boucher was ‘flawed from a procedural perspective’.
[Photo: AFP]