South Africa will have a busy season in 2016/17
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Cricket South Africa (CSA) have confirmed that the Proteas will face New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka and Ireland next season.
South Africa’s 2016/17 season will begin with a two-match Test series against New Zealand on home soil in August, before Australia come to visit for five ODIs, which will start at the end of the September and run until the middle of October.
However, prior to the start of the Australia ODI series, South Africa will face Ireland in a one-off ODI. Ireland will also play one ODI against Australia.
Following Australia’s visit, South Africa will tour Australia for a Test series before hosting Sri Lanka for a full series in December that will consist of three Tests, five ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals.
After that, the Proteas will head to New Zealand for a full tour in February and March 2017.
“We are looking forward to yet another full international season with Test matches starting in August against New Zealand,” CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat said. “Playing against New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and Sri Lanka in one season will test the winning ways of our Proteas and it will also provide our fans with the opportunity to watch the Proteas in action at home in five Sunfoil Test matches, 11 Momentum ODIs and three KFC T20 International matches.
“Test cricket will remain the main focus for our world No. 1 ranked team and I am pleased ICC has increased the total Test rankings prize money to $US 1.8-million. Our team will no doubt have a keen eye on ODI cricket too as the major ICC event in 2017 is the ICC Champions Trophy to be played in England in mid-2017. By announcing the fixtures early we are creating time for our most loyal fans to make their holiday plans to follow the team.”
Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom was unable to hide his delight at the fact that the national team will be facing two cricketing powerhouses in one-off ODIs.
“Cricket Ireland is most grateful to Cricket South Africa and Cricket Australia for giving us this opportunity,” he said. “These matches are precisely what John Bracewell was referring to when he said we need more matches, more regularly, against the best players, in overseas conditions. The recent series played by Ireland and Afghanistan in Zimbabwe plus our ODIs against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 2016, and now these matches, show that the 12-team ODI structure is beginning to bear fruit. Long may that continue.”
SOUTH AFRICA’S HOME INTERNATIONAL FIXTURE LIST 2016/17
New Zealand Tour 2016
August 19-23: 1st Sunfoil Test match, Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead, Durban
August 27-31: 2nd Sunfoil Test match, SuperSport Park, Centurion
Ireland Tour 2016
September 25: Momentum ODI vs. South Africa, Day, Sahara Park Willowmoore, Benoni
September 27: ODI vs. Australia, Day, Sahara Park Willowmoore, Benoni
Australia Tour 2016
September 30: 1st Momentum ODI, D/N, SuperSport Park, Centurion
October 2: 2nd Momentum ODI, Day, Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
October 5: 3rd Momentum ODI, D/N, Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead, Durban
October 9: 4th Momentum ODI, Day, St. George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
October 12: 5th Momentum ODI, D/N, PPC Newlands, Cape Town
Sri Lanka Tour 2016/17
December 8-10: Three-Day Tour match, SA Invitation XI, Senwes Park, Potchefstroom
December 15-19: 1st Sunfoil Test match, Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
December 26-30: 2nd Sunfoil Test match, St. George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
January 2-6: 3rd Sunfoil Test match, PPC Newlands, Cape Town
January 10: 1st KFC T20 International, D/N, PPC Newlands, Cape Town
January 13: 2nd KFC T20 International, D/N, SuperSport Park, Centurion
January 15: 3rd KFC T20 International, Day, Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
January 20: 1st Momentum ODI, D/N, Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban
January 22: 2nd Momentum ODI, Day, St. George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
January 27: 3rd Momentum ODI, D/N, PPC Newlands, Cape Town
January 29: 4th Momentum ODI, Day, Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
February 3: 5th Momentum ODI, D/N, SuperSport Park, Centurion