The Boxing Day Test has been a tradition in the game of cricket

Cricket South Africa has declared that they will be switching the classic Boxing Day Test to a Twenty20 International due to scheduling problems.

South Africa, will not hold a Test match from December 26 to 30 anymore, but instead will play a Twenty20 against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth.

A statement released by Cricket South Africa read: “We would like to clarify the Boxing Day Test issue that many fans are upset about. According to the ICC Future tours programme, the Proteas were only ever scheduled to play two Tests against New Zealand.”

The statement also clarified that South Africa would most likely return to back to the tradition of the Boxing Day Test next season.

“The Boxing Day Test has not been replaced or cancelled in favour of T20 cricket for good, we will have Test matches from the beginning of January. There will be the normal five Tests. The scheduling is just slightly different. We may revert to a Boxing Day Test next season,” the statement said.

New Zealand are scheduled to play two Test matches, three ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals against South Africa from December to January.

The tour is now starting with three Twenty20 Internationals in Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth, followed by a three-day warm-up match in Paarl from December 28 to 30.

The two Test matches are now scheduled to start on January 2 in Cape Town and January 11 in Port Elizabeth, which will be followed by the ODI series to be held in Paarl, Kimberley and Potchefstroom.