Australia will return to South Africa for the first time since the infamous ball-tampering scandal of 2018, when they arrive in February for a three-Test series.
Key points:
- Australia’s last tour of South Africa led to suspensions for three players
- South Africa will also host England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan
- Australia’s home summer of cricket will conclude in mid-January after a four-Test series against India
Cricket South Africa (SCA) announced the news on Tuesday evening and although exact dates and venues are yet to be confirmed, the series will conclude in March.
Australia won 2018’s opening Test but ultimately lost the four-match series 3-1.
However, the overall result was overshadowed by the fallout from the ball-tampering scandal which lead to the year-long suspensions of Steve Smith and David Warner, and a nine-month international ban for Cameron Bancroft.
The Proteas will also host England from late November in limited overs matches, Sri Lanka for a two-Test showdown around the turn of the year and close out their home campaign against Pakistan in three ODIs and three T20s during a busy summer of cricket in South Africa.
“We are delighted to announce the schedule of men’s international cricket for the home season,” CSA acting chief executive Kugandrie Govender said.
“The COVID-19 pandemic predictably forced many changes to … the traditional sequencing of scheduling matches in South Africa this season.
“This is why I am particularly proud of today’s announcement.”
Australia’s summer of cricket has been significantly curtailed from its original schedule, with an historic one-off Test against Afghanistan and a limited overs series against New Zealand both cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus played havoc with Australia’s plans in 2021; a two-Test tour of Bangladesh, scheduled for June, was postponed, while limited overs visits from Zimbabwe and West Indies were also canned.
The men’s T20 World Cup was also postponed until 2022, although a hastily-arranged limited overs tour of England did fill the gap.
The Australians will eventually return to cricket this home summer by welcoming India for three one-dayers, three Twenty20 games and four Tests.
The short-format games will be played in Sydney and Canberra, likely from November 27 to December 8.
Adelaide will host the Test series opener with a day-night encounter slated to start on December 17.
Melbourne’s Boxing Day fixture will be the second Test with Sydney’s Test likely to start on January 7 and the fourth Test in Brisbane commencing January 15.
AAP/ABC
