Timing of CSA's national contracts leaves Smith confused

South African captain Graeme Smith is reportedly unhappy with Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) announcement of player contracts as it has been difficult for some of the players to handle.

Instead of Dean Elgar and Thami Tsolekile, new contracts have been awarded to Quinton de Kock and David Miller, even though Elgar and Tsolekile are both part of the Proteas Test squad in the Test trio against Australia.

The awkward timing by CSA of naming the contracted players has not gone down well with the Proteas Test squad and it also became the highlight of Smith’s dissatisfaction over the player contracts issue.

However, Smith is hoping that his current team members get a chance to show their skill in the second Test against Australia and prove that they are worthy.

The CSA contracted players are: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

Image: Graeme Smith

Photograph: Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images