Jay Shah, the influential cricket administrator and ICC Chair, made a brief yet notable visit to South Africa on Wednesday, stopping at two key venues – the Wanderers in Johannesburg and SuperSport Park in Centurion. His visit came as he was returning to India from the ICC board meetings held in Zimbabwe.
Shah’s presence coincided with the annual awards night of the Titans franchise in Centurion, which welcomed him with ceremonial arrangements, including a red carpet and a formal dinner. However, the celebrations were scheduled independently of his visit, making the overlap a fortunate coincidence.
Jay Shah Makes Surprise Visit to Wanderers for Venue Review
Earlier in the day, Shah toured the Wanderers stadium, guided by Lions president Mohammad Moosajee. According to Jono Leaf-Wright, Lions’ chief executive, the visit was informal and aimed at strengthening cricket ties. “There was no agenda or official meeting. It was simply a walkaround, discussing global cricket and building relationships,” he stated.
South Africa, along with Zimbabwe and Namibia, will co-host the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Both Wanderers and Centurion are expected to be key venues for the tournament, with Johannesburg likely to host the final. Shah’s visit offered him a chance to observe preparations, infrastructure, and future upgrades, including the potential use of drop-in pitches—something new for South African grounds—and updated floodlight systems.
A strong thunderstorm on Wednesday also gave Shah a live view of how the stadiums handle heavy rain. Both venues have reliable drainage systems, and his observations will help ensure readiness well ahead of the global event.
Despite the short duration of his stay, Shah’s visit sends a positive signal. With the 2027 World Cup still more than two years away, his early involvement shows proactive planning to avoid last-minute surprises.
And of course, fitting in a tour, a lunch at the Wanderers, and a dinner at Centurion all before a flight back to Ahmedabad made it a productive and efficient day for one of cricket’s most powerful figures.
Also Read: Top 5 Bowlers With Most Wickets Against One IPL Team
