South Africa lost 3-0 in their last Test series against India in 2015
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
South Africa will take on Zimbabwe in a four-day day-night match in Port Elizabeth after their Boxing Day Test against India was cancelled.
With South Africa’s Test series against India being reduced from four Tests to three, the Proteas will now make up for the Boxing Day Test with the four-day game.
Cricket South Africa confirmed that they are waiting for a response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) before they brand the one-off fixture against Zimbabwe as a Test match.
Furthermore, the board added that an additional ODI will be added to the schedule for the series against India, meaning that the two nations will play three Tests, six ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals.
“We have now finalised the fixtures for a very busy home summer of international cricket,” Cricket South Africa CEO Haroon Lorgat was quoted as saying by sport24. “The Mahatma Gandhi-Nelson Mandela Test series starts at Newlands on Friday, January 5 and will be a series to be watched as the number 1 and 2 best ranked teams in the world challenge for the Freedom Trophy.
“The time constraints faced by India have forced us to reduce the Test matches to three while increasing white ball cricket to six ODIs and three T20I matches.
“To ensure we do not disappoint our loyal fans over the traditional Boxing Day period and to take advantage of our brand-new lights at St George’s Park, we will host Zimbabwe in the first ever 4-day D/N Test match to be played. The Test status of the match is subject to ICC approval.
“This will give us a total of 10 home Test matches this summer against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, India and Australia, making this our busiest home Test season ever.
“The extensive revamping of our international grounds are on schedule and the D/N Test match promises to be a world-class experience for the players and fans.
“The Proteas are currently ranked No. 1 and India No. 3 in ODI cricket, so fans will have the chance to see great cricket in the limited overs format too.”
Before their Test series against South Africa begins, India will play a two-day practice match in Paarl on December 30 and 31.
Meanwhile, South Africa last faced Zimbabwe in a Test match back in 2014, which they won by nine wickets.