Graeme Smith "worried" by India, Australia and England breakaway amid super series plans

The acting director of South Africa cricket says the men's team must improve to become involved in such discussions

World cricket must be wary of India, Australia and England cementing their position as the financial kings of the sport, according to acting South Africa director of cricket Graeme Smith.

The trio have been in discussions regarding a four-team bilateral super series, staged across two weeks with one other invited side.

It would act as direct competition to the ICC's plans to re-introduce a second global 50-over tournament similar to the now-defunct Champions Trophy.

Already the three biggest earning countries under the current ICC revenue split, there are fears the competition would grow the chasm between the three nations and their competitors.

Smith has taken over Cricket South Africa on an interim basis but has expressed his concern over the proposal - though indicated he wanted the team to show they deserve an invitation to such a competition.

INTERNATIONAL HUB

"We have to make sure we perform well enough to make sure we are part of those chats," he told Sky Sports. "So that is important.

"But the world game needs to be worried about that (the big three breakaway). India, Australia and England can't just play each other because people will get bored and frustrated with how that is.

"World cricket has got challenges with free agency, the big three and how the game is structured going forward. Leadership is a key thing and let's hope that we have people who are making good decisions. 

"We have to make sure we're performing well enough that we're in those conversations. It is up to us to build those relationships so that we become part of the big four."

Subscribe to The Cricketer this Christmas and receive a £20 John Lewis voucher or Alastair Cook's autobiography. Claim your free gift here