Lorgan needs to build his 'innings'

Lorgat on Tuesday (23 July) said he is willing to apologise if he has "wronged somebody".

CSA's board appointed Lorgat over the weekend in defiance of the Indian board's objections, stemming from its stormy relationship with him during his four years as the chief executive of the International Cricket Council.

So bad was the blood between them that the Indian board hit Lorgat with a volley of breach-of-ethics charges - all of which were dismissed by the ICC.

The Indian board threatened to cancel its money-spinning tour to South Africa next season if CSA gave Lorgat the job.

But, after a long process that included two postponements, CSA decided Lorgat was their man. His three- year contract starts in August. "We are convinced we have made the right choice," CSA president Chris Nenzani said.

"We made it clear to [the Indian board] that we would not undermine or ignore its concerns but we would make decisions guided by the best interests of CSA."

Was the tour still on track? "I have no information to indicate that the tour is not going to go ahead," Nenzani said.

Turmoil in India

Did the fact that the Indian board was in turmoil itself - with its president, Narayanaswami Srinivasan, stepping down due to perceived conflicts of interest - ease CSA's worries about the repercussions of bringing Lorgat on board?

"There is no link between what we have done and what is happening in India," Nenzani said. "They [the Indian board] are going through a period of challenges. We cannot get entangled in those issues," he added.

Were the Indian board's problems with Lorgat a serious consideration in the board's deliberations about its next chief executive?

"We take decisions in the interests of cricket, the South African people, and our country," said CSA independent board member Louis von Zeuner.

"One cannot allow influences that don't meet the sound governance standards we have set for ourselves. We don't want to ignore or alienate any stakeholder but we need to take the decision that is right," Von Zuener said.

Lorgat said: "I will do my level best to understand what the issues are with those who are not happy with whatever it is with myself personally. You cannot argue the fact that India is an important player in world cricket.

"If I need to sit across a table or go to India - whatever it takes - CSA comes first. If it means I have wronged somebody and I need to apologise, I will have no hesitation in doing so. But I need to understand what it is and I need to ensure that the two boards will have the relationship they always have had," he added.

Source: The Times via I-net Bridge