Latest news with #Breetzke
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Safety of South Africans in the IPL is non-negotiable, SACA insists
Kagiso Rabada, coming off suspension, is back in India to participate in the IPL. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The health and safety of South African players competing in the IPL is of paramount importance, according to Andrew Breetzke, CEO of the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA). Over the past few weeks, SACA — in collaboration with the ICC — has gathered independent security intelligence regarding the on-the-ground situation in India, with a view to safeguarding the eight South Africans currently participating in the tournament. These players include Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Breetzke confirmed that SACA has been in daily contact with the players, providing them with regular updates and offering psychological support throughout this period. 'As a rule, we have independent security advisors, and prior to any tour involving our players, we receive independent security reports covering the region in question. That is standard international practice,' said Breetzke. 'I've been in daily contact with our cricketers regarding the security situation, and they have expressed concern. At this stage, all indications suggest the league will resume on Saturday.' The IPL was suspended in early May following the cancellation of the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, after a security incident involving Pakistan attempting to breach Indian airspace near Chandigarh. The incident led to a stadium blackout and increased safety concerns. The tournament is set to resume on Saturday, with 17 matches scheduled across six cities — Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad — and the final slated for June 3, the same day the Proteas are to play a warm-up match against Zimbabwe. The suspension has, therefore, caused scheduling complications for the South African contingent, many of whom are due to return home in preparation for the World Test Championship final against Australia, taking place from June 11. Breetzke emphasised the importance of players adhering to the originally planned departure window. 'As it stands, the players are expected to return between the 25th and 26th of May in order to begin preparations for the WTC final. I expect this schedule to be honoured, and it must be in the best interest of our game,' he said. On Thursday, Cricket South Africa's head of national teams, Enoch Nkwe, made a similar commitment in an interview with Independent Media, although concerns remain.
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
SACA chief Andrew Breetzke slams Tim Paine over misinformed Kagiso Rabada remarks
Rabada was informed of his test results on April 1, and he immediately flew back to South Africa to follow protocol set out by the SA Institute of Drug-Free Sports (SAIDS) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). It's understood that Paine believes Rabada should not have used the 'personal matter' and revealed then it was a drug-related matter. Paine was specifically referring to the fact that when Rabada learnt he had f ailed the drugs test , he left the Indian Premier League to attend to a 'personal matter'. In light of Rabada's one-month suspension for taking a banned substance ( cocaine ), Paine said the handling of the situation 'stinks', according to SEN Radio. Following Tim Paine's comments on Kagiso Rabada , SA Cricketers Association (SACA) chief Andrew Breetzke said the former Aussie skipper didn't know what he was talking about. Rabada's Doping Case Handled Professionally, Adhering to SAIDS and WADA Guidelines "The criticism that's coming from Australia is somewhat naive and lacks understanding of how doping processes are managed," Breetzke told Breetzke went on to explain that Rabada followed procedure to the letter. "Effectively, he (Rabada) was notified on the first of April of the positive test, and we consulted with him on the 1st of April for the first time. In accordance with the SAIDS and WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) rules, there is a clear process that follows out of that, and we started that process immediately with him flying back to South Africa, getting the legal team together, the medical experts together, and started the process relative to the rules," said Breetzke. "That's exactly how it played out. It played out as it must in terms of the rules. When someone tests positive for substances of abuse, the rules are pretty clear: if it's taken in competition, it's a two-year suspension; if you can prove it's out of competition, you can get it down to three months; and if you go into a designated counselling programme, you can get it down to one month.' Breetzke went on to drive home the point that 'all the boxes were ticked' in the process. 'It was professionally dealt with, and KG was absolutely professional, open, and honest in the process, which is why we were able to do it within that time frame." @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
West Australian
12-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
South African cricket boss Andrew Breetzke called Tim Paine ‘naive' for criticism of the handling of Kagiso Rabada's drug ban.
South African cricket boss Andrew Breetzke has defended the process which allowed fast bowler Kagiso Rabada to serve just a one-month ban for a positive drug test allowing him to take on Australia in the World Test Championship final calling critics including Tim Paine 'naive'. Rabada tested positive to an illicit substance during the SA T20 competition in January, but was allowed to play on before being sent home form the Indian Premier League for 'personal reasons'. It was then revealed Rabada was in fact serving a ban for the positive test result, a ban which ended almost before anyone knew it existed. The process moved Paine to say 'it stinks' with Rabada now able to line-up against Australia at Lords in June. But Breetzke was adamant the rules were followed to the letter and those outside the bubble should have refrained from making guesses. 'The criticism that's coming from Australia is somewhat naive and lacks understanding of how doping processes are managed,' he told SportsBoom. 'Effectively, he (Rabada) was notified on the first of April of the positive test, and we consulted with him on the 1st of April for the first time. In accordance with the SAIDS and WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) rules, there is a clear process that follows out of that, and we started that process immediately with him flying back to South Africa, getting the legal team together, the medical experts together and started the process relative to the rules. 'That's exactly how it played out. It played out as it must in terms of the rules. When someone tests positive for substance of abuse, the rules are pretty clear, if it's taken in competition, it's a two year suspension, if you can prove it's out of competition you can get it down to three months and if you go into a designated counselling program you can get it down to one month.' 'We ticked off those boxes, and that's how the process unfolded over the month of April. It was professionally dealt with, and KG was absolutely professional, open and honest in the process, which is why we were able to do it within that time frame.' Breetzke said there was no questions raised about the integrity of the investigation or the handling of Rabada's suspension. 'In cricket, there aren't many doping cases. We've had six cases in South Africa in probably the last ten years,' he said. 'All players every year go through anti-doping education through us. That's standard. Integrity in cricket is based on two elements: there's the anti-doping regulations and there's the anti-corruption regulations. In the list of high-risk sports in doping, cricket is not high on this.'
Observer
13-02-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Rizwan, Salman hit tons as Pakistan defeat SA in record chase
KARACHI: Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha cracked centuries to guide Pakistan into the tri-series final with a thumping six-wicket win over South Africa in Karachi on Wednesday. Rizwan led Pakistan's highest successful chase in all one-day internationals of 353 in 49 overs with a magnificent 122 not out while Salman slammed 134 for his maiden century at the National Stadium. Pakistan will now face New Zealand at the same venue on Friday in the final of the event which is a key warm-up for the Champions Trophy which starts next week. The hundreds made by Rizwan and Salman overshadowed Matthew Breetzke's record of scoring most runs by a batsman in his first two one-day internationals of 150 and 83. Breetzke's innings had set up an imposing South Africa total of 352-5. Rizwan and Salman built a match-changing stand of 260, a new record for the fourth wicket for Pakistan, improving on the 206 scored by Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan against India at Centurion in 2009. Their blistering innings should also erase doubts over the team's vulnerable batting as they improved on Pakistan's previous highest successful chase of 349 against Australia in Lahore in 2022. Rizwan hit nine boundaries and three sixes off 128 balls while Salman's 103-ball knock had 16 boundaries and two sixes. "When God helps, you break all kinds of records," said Rizwan. "We were looking to restrict them to 320 but Klaasen took them to 350. "When we were going back after the first innings, Khushdil (Shah) said we had chased 350 before so those were inspiring words." South African skipper Temba Bavuma blamed the flat pitch for defeat. SHAHEEN, BREETZKE CLASH "It was a good wicket and was tough work for bowlers," said Bavuma. "We needed wickets in the middle which we didn't get." Breetzke followed his highest-ever debut score against New Zealand in Lahore on Monday with an attractive 84-ball 83, spiced with a six and 10 boundaries, after South Africa won the toss. Breetzke bettered West Indian Desmond Haynes's aggregate of 195 runs in his first two matches in 1978 before he fell to a brilliant catch off spinner Khushdil. Pakistan's vaunted bowling attack failed to stop the tourists from scoring a big total, with Bavuma (82) and Heinrich Klaasen (87) also chipping in. With wickets not falling, frustrated Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi angrily clashed with Breetzke as the batsman attempted to complete a run. Shaheen made physical contact and exchanged words with his rival before umpire Asif Yaqoob separated the pair. "I was frustrated at my shot and Shaheen thought I said something to him but nothing serious. We are good friends," said Breetzke. Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi (22), one of four changes in the South African team, put on 51 for the opening stand. The captain then built a second-wicket stand of 119 with Breetzke. Bavuma was run out after cracking 13 boundaries in his 96-ball knock. Klaasen lifted the tempo with a rapid 56-ball knock, smashing three sixes and 11 boundaries as the South Africans added 110 runs in the last 10 overs. Kyle Verreynne and Corbin Bosch remained not out with 44 and 15 respectively to take South Africa past 350. — AFP Brief Scores: South Africa 352-5 (H Klaasen 87, M Breetzke 83, T Bavuma 82, K Verreynne 44 not out; Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-66) v Pakistan 355-4 in 49 overs (Salman Agha 134, Mohammad Rizwan 122 not out; W Mulder 2-79) Result: Pakistan won by six wickets
Arab News
12-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Rizwan and Salman smash tons as Pakistan defeat South Africa in record chase
KARACHI: Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha cracked centuries to guide Pakistan into the tri-series final with a thumping six-wicket win over South Africa in Karachi on Wednesday. Rizwan led Pakistan's highest successful chase in all one-day internationals of 353 in 49 overs with a magnificent 122 not out while Salman slammed 134 for his maiden century at the National Stadium. Pakistan will now face New Zealand at the same venue on Friday in the final of the event which is a key warm-up for the Champions Trophy which starts next week. The hundreds made by Rizwan and Salman overshadowed Matthew Breetzke's record of scoring most runs by a batsman in his first two one-day internationals of 150 and 83. Breetzke's innings had set up an imposing South Africa total of 352-5. Rizwan and Salman built a match-changing stand of 260, a new record for the fourth wicket for Pakistan, improving on the 206 scored by Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan against India at Centurion in 2009. Their blistering innings should also erase doubts over the team's vulnerable batting as they improved on Pakistan's previous highest successful chase of 349 against Australia in Lahore in 2022. Rizwan hit nine boundaries and three sixes off 128 balls while Salman's 103-ball knock had 16 boundaries and two sixes. Earlier, Breetzke followed his highest-ever debut score against New Zealand in Lahore on Monday with an attractive 84-ball 83, spiced with a six and 10 boundaries, after South Africa won the toss. Breetzke bettered West Indian Desmond Haynes's aggregate of 195 runs in his first two matches in 1978 before he fell to a brilliant catch off spinner Khushdil Shah. Pakistan's vaunted bowling attack failed to stop the tourists from scoring a big total, with skipper Temba Bavuma (82) and Heinrich Klaasen (87) also chipping in. With wickets not falling, frustrated Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi angrily clashed with Breetzke as the batsman attempted to complete a run. Shaheen made physical contact and exchanged words with his rival before umpire Asif Yaqoob separated the pair. Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi (22), one of four changes in the South African team, put on 51 for the opening stand. The captain then built a second-wicket stand of 119 with Breetzke. Bavuma was run out after cracking 13 boundaries in his 96-ball knock. Klaasen lifted the tempo with a rapid 56-ball knock, smashing three sixes and 11 boundaries as the South Africans added 110 runs in the last 10 overs. Kyle Verreynne and Corbin Bosch remained not out with 44 and 15 respectively to take South Africa past 350.
