Calcutta: Speculation over what made South Africa do a dramatic U-turn won’t end in a hurry, but even if they’d opposed or abstained during Saturday’s vote, in Singapore, the Big Three (India, Australia, England) wouldn’t have been stalled.

For, as first reported by The Telegraph, on January 30, they already had the support of four other Test-playing nations, just the number required to adopt any resolution at the executive board of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

As it turned out, the resolution got eight votes in its favour, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka abstaining.

The eighth vote was South Africa’s, which had initially blasted the ICC.

“Seven would’ve sufficed... Eight votes will be required during the ICC’s annual conference, in June, when the constitutional changes have to be adopted... With South Africa coming on board, there won’t be a worry then either,” a well-placed source pointed out.

The buzz is that South Africa struck a “deal” with India, allowing for “more bilateral engagements” and, possibly, “respect” for Cricket South Africa CEO Haroon Lorgat.

Deals, one may add, aren’t unknown to international cricket. So, don’t be surprised if there are developments which are cheered across South Africa.