JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, CMC – South Africa’s authorities dispatched its procurement officer to the Caribbean on Friday to ensure the Proteas had a replacement playing kit ahead of the One-day International series with West Indies, which started on Saturday in Antigua.
South Africa found itself in an embarrassing situation during the first Twenty20 International against the Windies on Wednesday, when the names and numbers of the players started to peel off their jerseys.
“We convened an urgent meeting at Cricket South Africa on Thursday morning to sort out this messy situation,” said CSA Chief Executive Officer Gerald Majola.
“To ensure there were no further hiccups, CSA got [our kit supplier] Reebok to deliver a fresh batch of correct ODI kit to us on Thursday afternoon.
“Our procurement officer flew to the West Indies [via London] on Thursday night, and will be personally delivering the kit to the team on Friday afternoon.”
Reebok has since apologised to CSA and the Proteas for the error with the players’ kit, which was due to a supplier using a new vinyl for the names and numbers without the sports manufacturer’s prior knowledge.
The kit arrived in time for the first ODI on Saturday at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, and the Proteas proceeded to spank West Indies by 66 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis Method in the rain-marred match.
The Proteas play West Indies in the second ODI today also in Antigua.
