The Ministry of Sports, Art and Culture has given Cricket South Africa (CSA) the permission to proceed with the limited Overs tour against world champions, England.
The ICC World Cup champions, England will arrive the country in mid-November due to the Covid-19 protocols.
Two ODI matches and two T20 matches will be played at Newlands Stadium, one ODI and one T20 match will be played at the Eurolux Boland Park, Paarl, as the tour will be limited to the Western Cape.
“This is a wonderful boost for cricket and, although all the matches will have to be played behind closed doors, I am sure that our Proteas fans will rally behind South Africa’s favourite team as they always do, but just on alternative digital and social media platforms,” the CSA Acting Chief Executive Kugandrie Govender said.
“The fact that England are the current World Cup champions will add tremendously to the two series and will give our own players every motivation to perform at their very best to challenge the reigning champions.”
Govender further said that the match was made possible by the support of the South African government.
“I would like to express CSA’s sincere gratitude to the Departments of Sport, Arts & Culture; Home Affairs; and Health, for the support they have given us to make this return to international cricket in our country a reality, while maintaining that health and safety for all remains the number one priority,” added Govender.
Govender conclude by saying that the tour will reignite the country’s international cricket season.
“While CSA, in partnership with government, has been working really hard to secure the Series, we are thrilled that the tournament will reignite our international cricket season and after the tough year South Africa and the world has experienced, we look forward to bringing cricket joy to our fans, players, and stakeholders.”
“These exciting developments also coincide with CSA’s return to office next week, which we are thrilled about,” concluded Govender.
CSA also thanked England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for their support.
“This is a first for us and we commit to learn quickly and with great responsiveness as we have an action-packed international season ahead of us,” continued Govender.
ECB’s Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said they are looking forward to the tour.
“We are looking forward to touring South Africa. I would like to personally thank Cricket South Africa for their efforts in ensuring this tour goes ahead and their diligent work to create an environment that is safe for our players and staff.They are working tirelessly to pull together a bio-secure plan in Cape Town and Paarl.
“We owe it to the sport that we do everything we can to keep international competition progressing during this pandemic.
“Series against the Proteas are always exciting and intense. We saw that earlier this year in South Africa and we can expect the same this time around.”
The tour will include three T20 Internationals and three One-Day International matches to take place from November 27 to December 9 2020. Teams will only be allowed to play intra-squad tune up matches.
