GRAEME SMITH ACCUSED OF RACISM

Former South African cricket captain Graeme Smith is being accused of racism by former team mate Thami Tsolekile.

Tsolekile is currently serving a 12-year-ban from the game due to his role in a domestic match-fixing scandal in 2015.

He accused Smith of racism when he chose a white player instead of him to replace wicketkeeper Mark Boucher who was injured at the time. AB de Villiers went on to replace the injured Boucher as wicketkeeper.

Smith, who is the Director of Cricket at Cricket South Africa, released a statement in his personal capacity with his side of the story.

“Unfortunately, Thami was a wicket-keeper, which meant he was always only fighting for one position. I can understand how frustrating that must have been, and there have been several other excellent wicket-keepers that South African cricket never sae on an international stage, because keepers tend to stay in a team for long periods of time.”

During an interview on radio this week, Tsolelike said during the England 2012 tour he was promised to be seen as Boucher’s back-up by then coach Gary Kirsten, but when it came down to making the decision he lost out to de Villiers.

News24 reports that Tsolekile accused Smith of leaving him out of social activities on tour and facilitating a culture of division in the national set-up.

Former player Makhaya Ntini also recently accused Smith of racism during his reign as captain of the national squad.

Image credits: Instagram and New Indian Express