The England and Wales Cricket Board today conveyed its condolences and sympathy to Cricket South Africa and the South African people after the passing of the former South African president Nelson Mandela.
Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, said: “Nelson Mandela was a truly inspirational statesman for many generations of South Africans as well as many peoples around the world. Under his patronage South African sports, including cricket, emerged from the dark shadow of apartheid.
"In the past 25 years South African cricket has prospered in Nelson Mandela's 'Rainbow Nation'. There is no doubt that Nelson Mandela's positive influence on not only South Africa but also the world in general has contributed to that sporting prosperity."