JOHANNESBURG, June 1: South African cricket coach Graham Ford was sacked on Saturday following his country’s back-to-back series defeats by Australia.

The decision was announced following a meeting of the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) general council in Johannesburg.

In a statement the UCB said: “The General Council has decided to terminate the contracts of national coach Graham Ford and physiotherapist Craig Smith.”

No reason for the decision was given although it was widely expected following South Africa’s heavy defeats by Australia during the southern hemisphere summer.

South Africa were beaten 3-0 in Australia and 2-1 at home with Ford made the scapegoat despite having been undefeated in the previous eight series. Ford’s contract had been due to expire at the end of next year’s cricket World Cup in South Africa.—Reuters