Coach Graham Ford has paid the price for the South African cricket team's failure in their home and away series against Australia.

The decision to sack Ford, together with team physio Craig Smith, was taken at Saturday's meeting of the United Cricket Board general council in Johannesburg.

But the meeting was overshadowed by the news of the death of former captain Hansie Cronje, who was killed in a plane crash in the Western Cape.

A minute's silence was observed in his memory.

South Africa were whitewashed 3-0 in the Tests in Australia and then beaten 2-1 on home soil before losing a one-day series by a 6-1 margin.

Nominations have now been invited for possible replacements which will then be considered by the National Cricket Committee.

Contract terminated

Ford guided South Africa to seven series wins after taking over from Bob Woolmer in 1999 and was contracted until after next year's World Cup, which South Africa will host.

His dismissal is part of an ongoing upheaval in the country's cricket administration which began with the recent appointment of a new selection panel, headed by Omar Henry.

"I haven't officially been given the reasons yet but to be honest, I'm not surprised at all. Maybe my opinions did not quite gel with the opinions of others.

"Obviously I'm hurt. I've given 100 per cent," said Ford.

The UCB, meanwhile, has awarded central contracts to 21 players.

Current captain Shaun Pollock, wicket-keeper Mark Boucher, batsman Herschelle Gibbs, all-rounder Jacques Kallis, paceman Makhaya Ntini and spin bowler Paul Adams have been contracted until the end of April 2004.

The other contracts will expire at the end of April next year.

There are no surprise names in the list, although uncapped Hashim Amla, Loots Bosman, Martin van Jaarsveld and Thami Tsolekile are in a 31-strong squad for training ahead of the World Cup.

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Centrally-contracted players: Mark Boucher, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock, Paul Adams, Nicky Boje, Allan Donald, Makhaya Ntini, Jonty Rhodes, Boeta Dippenaar, Mornantau Hayward, Neil McKenzie, Mfuneko Ngam, Steve Elworthy, Justin Ontong, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Graeme Smith, Roger Telemachus.