JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa Director Graeme Smith says none of the country’s players, who took part in the now-postponed IPL, “felt at risk” during their stay in India as the BCCI created a good Bio-Secure Environment (BSE).
The IPL was postponed on May 4 after multiple COVID-19 cases emerged inside the bio-bubble. The 11 South Africans, who participated in the league, have already left for Johannesburg. “In no way would we judge. Having spoken to the players, they felt safe.
They felt the BSE (Bio-Secure Environment) was a really good experience in India. They never felt at risk. But that’s the nature of what COVID brings,” Smith, a former South Africa captain, said during a news conference. India is currently reporting over 400,000 coronavirus cases per day with close to 4,000 daily deaths.
Smith said amid a raging pandemic, the element of risk is always there and the organisers can’t be blamed.
“Sometimes you can do whatever you want but the BSE – as we’ve said to everyone – is never fool-proof. When COVID is raging in your country there’s always a risk. Unfortunately once it gets inside it’s very difficult to predict what’s going to happen.” Smith also lauded the effort made by the BCCI to ensure the safe departure for all the South African players, who would be back home by Friday and undergo home quarantine. “The duty of care (the BCCI has) shown in getting everyone home has been exemplary.
“From our own players’ perspective it’s been made slightly easier in that our borders aren’t closed and there’s still commercial travel available for them.”
—PTI

Press Trust of India