RSA: South Africa Hopes To Play Four Tests With Sri Lanka By 2000 (3 Jun 1996)

3 June 1996

South Africa hopes to play 4 Tests with SL before 2000

United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) managing director Dr. Ali Bacher said South Africa were hoping to play a test against World Cup champions Sri Lanka in the 1997-98 season followed by a three-Test series in 2000.

``We have an obligation to play all the test countries and we think it is a shame that Sri Lanka are being frozen out of test cricket,`` he told a news conference on Saturday.

Bacher also said that South Africa`s top cricketers will earn more than ever before, thanks to a new pay structure announced by the UCBSA.

"A top player will be able to earn close to 600,000 rand (US$ 140,000) over the next 12 months,`` said Bacher.

The UCBSA contracted 14 players for 10,000-13,200 rand (US$ 2,330 - US$ 3,000) a month each.

They are: Hansie Cronje, Craig Matthews, Dave Richardson, Jonty Rhodes, Fanie de Villiers, Allan Donald, Brian McMillan, Daryll Cullinan, Gary Kirsten, Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hudson, Pat Symcox, Paul Adams and Jacques Kallis.

Bacher said the Board has set incentive bonuses of up to 300,000 rand (US$ 70,000) per victory for the forthcoming six-test series against India and three-test series against Australia, and would not restrict earnings outside the game.

Highly marketable stars like Cronje, Rhodes and de Villiers could almost double their income through personal deals.

Source :: Daily News (http.//www.lanka.net)