12 Dec 2012

Cricket South Africa distances itself from comments about Black Caps

5:54 am on 12 December 2012

Cricket South Africa has distanced itself from comments about the quality of the New Zealand side which arrives in the Republic this week to play the Proteas in all three forms of the game.

It has been reported in New Zealand that Proteas assistant coach Craig Matthews said he wouldn't pay money to see New Zealand play without Ross Taylor and Daniel Vettori, while Cricket South Africa had said no Taylor or Vettori is bad news for marketing of the tour.

Acting Cricket South Africa CEO Jacques Faul says it's fundamental at any level of sport to respect the opposition regardless of the team they put in the field.

He says it's none of their business to comment on New Zealand domestic matters and that at no stage have they criticised their selection or expressed disappointment in comments to the media in either South Africa or New Zealand.

Faul says what he has said is that it helps to have big name players in the touring side and the Black Caps can rely on the experience of Brendon McCullum, James Franklin and Chris Martin who have done well in South Africa on previous tours.