The embattled Cricket South Africa (CSA), whose entire board resigned recently, has announced a blockbuster home international cricket season for the fans. The 2020-21 season will see South Africa hosting England, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Pakistan- all for crucial points in either the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League (CWCSL) or the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).
The season will begin with the limited-overs series against England which will feature 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs in Cape Town and Paarl. Following this, Sri Lanka will come to play two Test matches in Centurion and Johannesburg. The fixtures will fall into the traditional Boxing Day and New Year’s Test match windows.
Australia arrives in February 2021 for a three-match Test series which ends in March, with Pakistan rounding off the South African summer of cricket with a three-match ODI and 3-match T20I series in April 2021.
CSA also confirmed that a delegation will be formed to perform a security assessment on the possibility of South Africa touring Pakistan for the first time since 2007. The delegation will leave for Pakistan this weekend and report their findings for a proposed tour to happen in early 2021.
“We are delighted to announce the schedule of men’s international cricket for the home season. It is an absolute pleasure to deliver more good news for our cricket-loving fans to consume, following last week’s confirmed tour against England and domestic season launch,” commented CSA Acting CEO, Kugandrie Govender.
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“The COVID-19 pandemic predictably forced many changes to the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) and the traditional sequencing of scheduling matches in South Africa this season. This is why I am particularly proud of today’s announcement. It comes as a result of many hours of dedication, negotiation, and hard work by individuals behind the scenes to ensure that our fans have an exciting line-up of cricket to look forward to throughout the summer,” she added.
She called the T20I series important for the South African team’s preparation for the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in October and November in India and will give the selectors a chance to assess the players.
“Finally, I would like to express my gratitude and thanks on behalf of CSA, to the boards of England, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Pakistan for their agreement to these tours and assisting us in bringing the beautiful game to the South African public,” she signed off.
England men’s Tour to South Africa:
Friday, 27 November- 1st T20I, South Africa v England, Newlands, Cape Town
Sunday, 29 November- 2nd T20I, South Africa v England, Boland Park, Paarl
Tuesday, 01 December-3rd T20I, South Africa v England, Newlands, Cape Town
Friday, 04 December- 1st ODI, South Africa v England, Newlands, Cape Town
Sunday, 06 December- 2nd ODI, South Africa v England, Boland Park, Paarl
Wednesday, 09 December- 3rd ODI, South Africa v England, Newlands, Cape Town
Sri Lanka men’s Tour to South Africa:
Saturday, 26-30 December 2020- 1st Test, South Africa v Sri Lanka, SuperSport Park, Centurion
Sunday, 03-07 January 2021- 2nd Test, South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
