Test Cricket Tours - South Africa to India 2004-05
Tour of India
2004-05Captain: Graeme Smith
37th
official Test tour
Third
Test-playing tour of India
by South Africa
(November
-
December 2004)
This was South Africa's first Test tour of India
since Hansie Cronje' s involvement in match-fixing with Indian bookies had
come to light. At one stage the tour looked likely for cancellation because
the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) did not receive assurances
that spinner Nicky Boje and batsman Herschelle Gibbs would be immune from
prosecution.
Gibbs and Boje pulled out to
avoid questioning by Delhi
police in the match-fixing case. The Board executive decided there would be
five non-white players in the team and Boje’s and Gibbs’ withdrawal gave
opportunities to Ontong and Amla.
After a run of poor results especially on the Sri Lankan tour,
Eric Simons tenure as coach ended in October 2004.Ray Jennings stepped in on a six month
contract.
Team manager Tim Southey's contract was also terminated by the
United Cricket Board (UCB)
Selectors
Omar Henry (convenor of selectors),
The controversial quota system required
that five non-white players should be included in the 14-member squad.
Selection
Unavailable:Andre
Nel;Herschelle Gibbs decided
Tour Party announced27 October 2004
Only two players, Jacques
Kallis and Shaun Pollock had been part of the previous tour to India in 2000.
Not selected:Paul Adams,Mark Boucher, Lance
Klusener, Charl Langeveldt.
Withdrawal :On 3 November
Nicky Boje, who was vice-captain in the original selection, withdrew because
of fears of arrest for match-fixing in India five years ago.Charl Langeveldt who was chosen instead had
a back injury and two days later he was replaced by Robin Peterson.
Time between selection and departure from South Africa
15 days
(27 October to 11 November)
Travel
After a five-day pre-series camp in Pretoria
the team departed on Thursday 11 November 2004 from Johannesburg, arriving after travel delays
in Mumbai early on Friday 12 November.