South Africa reject ECB offer

Cricket South Africa have turned down an offer from the England Cricket Board to be on standby should Pakistan pull out of the upcoming one-day series.

The request was turned down based on the board’s decision to accept Zimbabwe’s offer to play South Africa in a three match ODI series.

Gerald Majola, the board’s chief executive spoke to reporters “We were approached by the ECB earlier this week, requesting the Proteas to replace Pakistan should they withdraw from the ODI tournament against England.”

“We have turned down the request on the basis that we are committed to playing against Zimbabwe in the three-match ODI tournament starting next month,” he added.

Reports coming out of England were that the England Cricket Board had approached New Zealand and the West Indies with a similar offer should the need arise.

It is highly unlikely that the West Indies have a chance of helping out as a result of the ensuing series against Australia and India starting only two days after the last scheduled one-day international in England.