India will head to South Africa for a tour which includes a three-Test series starting in December, it was confirmed on Thursday.
On Thursday, Cricket South Africa (CSA) launched an action-packed season of international and domestic competition with both the Proteas men’s side and the Momentum Proteas women’s side challenging for major ICC world titles.
The former travel to the United Arab Emirates in November to take part in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup while the latter will be in New Zealand in February for the ICC Women’s World Cup.
“It is probably the most congested home summer we have ever had,” commented CSA director of cricket Graeme Smith. “It is wonderful in these challenging times that there will such high-quality cricket being played on our shores. This includes a full tour by India across all three formats, both red-ball and white-ball cricket against Bangladesh and the first visit to our country by the Netherlands national team.
“Our women will also see plenty of action with the visit by the West Indies in the New Year for a series of both white-ball formats.
“As was the case last season, we have had to centralise our international fixtures to comply with Covid protocols,” he added.
“The ODI series against the Netherlands and Bangladesh form part of the Cricket World Cup Super League, while the Test series against India and Bangladesh form part of the World Test Championship which will provide greater context to our home international fixtures.
“India A will also be touring for three four-day matches against South Africa A which will provide tough competition for our domestic cricketers as they bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket.
“The Mzansi Super League has been moved to a new slot [7-28 February] while the domestic programme will as far as possible dovetail with our international programme.
“The domestic season will get off to a tremendous start with the Provincial T20 knockout competition, which will be enhanced by the participation of those Proteas who are not part of the T20 World Cup squad,” concluded Smith.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday CSA confirmed a full tour for the Proteas men to England that will include three ODIs, T20Is and Test matches from 19 July to 12 September 2022.
Riverside, Old Trafford and Headingley will play host to the ODI series, Bristol, Sophia Gardens and the Ageas Bowl will host the T20I series, while the Test series will be played at Lord’s, Edgbaston and The Oval.
Smith said he was also pleased with the confirmation of more fixtures for the men’s team that is in much need of game time.
“It’s exciting to have finalised the England tour,” he said. “Competitive cricket for our national teams is vital for their growth and progress and a tour of England is one of the bigger challenges that our players will face, particularly with their fully [Covid-19-] vaccinated crowds backing the home team.
“We have a bumper season ahead for the men’s team that we are thrilled to be announcing soon, with some really exciting matchups, along with another ICC T20 World Cup in the mix. Game time is going to be crucial for the ultimate success of this team as they also begin a new season of the ICC World Test Championship and continue the road to the 2023 ICC World Cup through the ICC Men’s World Cup Super League.”
England men’s series against South Africa
ODI series
1st ODI, Riverside – Tuesday, 19 July
2nd ODI, Old Trafford – Friday, 22 July
3rd ODI, Headingley – Sunday, 24 July
T20I series
1st T20I, Bristol – Wednesday, 27 July
2nd T20I, Sophia Gardens – Thursday, 28 July
3rd T20I, The Ageas Bowl – Sunday, 31 July
Test series
1st Test, Lord’s – 17-21 August
2nd Test, Edgbaston – 25-29 August
3rd Test, The Oval – 8-12 September
