Former South African skipper and current director of cricket Graeme Smith criticized Australian players double standard who were part of a recently concluded season of IPL 2021 as disappointing as the same players refused to travel to South Africa to play bilateral series due to the rise of COVID-19 cases back then in South Africa.
The same players were playing in IPL 2021 without raising any voice knowing that India is suffering from the deadly virus.
“You see some of those players sitting there at the IPL and not making any noise. Having had an experience of things here you do see some things differently, and [you see] a version of double standards. It’s disappointing,” said Smith as quoted by Cricbuzz.
However, Smith further added that he had spoken to all South African players who were part of IPL 2021 felt safe in that bio bubble.
“In no way would we judge. Having spoken to the players, they felt safe. They felt the BSE [Bio-Secure Environment] was a really good experience in India. They never felt at risk. But that’s the nature of what Covid brings,” said Smith.
The legendary South African player concluded by stating that BioSecure Environment is not foolproof, especially when the country is under deep crisis.
“Sometimes you can do whatever you want but the BSE – as we’ve said to everyone – is never foolproof. When Covid is raging in your country there’s always a risk. Unfortunately, once it gets inside it’s very difficult to predict what’s going to happen,” concluded Smith.
