The dates for India’s eagerly-anticipated tour of South Africa have now been confirmed in a joint statement by Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) late on Wednesday.
There has been a reduction in the length of the Test series with the matches being cut short to three from the originally scheduled four.
Instead, there will now be six ODIs instead of the five initially planned between the two sides earlier. Three T20Is will accompany the Tests and 50-over contests.
India are scheduled to arrive in the African country on December 28 and will kick-start the tour with a two-day warm-up match at Boland Park on December 30 and 31.
ICYMI: India arrive in SA on 28 Dec & their tour will start with a 2-day practice match at Boland Park Dec 30 & 31. https://t.co/szpid8R78f pic.twitter.com/QIz0fAQvLv
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) September 21, 2017
The first Test between the two sides will begin on January 5 at Newlands in Cape Town. The rest of the itinerary is still to be worked out between the two Boards and remains unannounced at the moment.
India’s arrival in South Africa has been delayed due to the BCCI adding a series with Sri Lanka which is to take place after the completion of New Zealand’s tour of India.
CSA have also announced a four-day Test with Zimbabwe starting on Boxing Day, a Test it had earlier scheduled with India.
With India’s arrival delayed, CSA have invited Zimbabwe to participate in its traditional Boxing Day Test with the match proposed to be a day-night affair and be played out at St. George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.
The South African board is hoping that the ICC will grant the four-day game a full Test status.
CSA chief Haroon Lorgat announced the news in a release.
“We have now finalised the fixtures for a very busy home summer of international cricket.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,” CSA chief Haroon Lorgat said in a news release.
“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,” he added.
“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.
“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 four-day day-night Test match to be played. The Test status of the match is subject to ICC approval,” Lorgat said about the Zimbabwe game.
