SA vs IND: Wanderers likely to get hosting rights of the New Year’s Test
Wanderers (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
The New Year’s Test between South Africa and India is likely to be played in Johannesburg and not Cape Town as originally planned. As per the original itinerary, the tour comprised three Tests, three ODIs, and four T20Is. The series, however, was under some serious threat due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 hitting African parts of the region.
CSA board chairman Lawson Naidoo told Rapport Newspaper that the first Test match won’t be played from December 17 at the Wanderers. The SuperSport Park in Centurion will now host the Test match starting from December 26. “We are not yet sure of the terms for the next two Tests,” said Naidoo. “We also still need to clear up logistics and bio-bubbles. We hope to confirm this by Monday.”
As per reports in Rapport, the second and third Test matches will be played from January 3 and 11 respectively. Newlands are likely to host the third and final match between South Africa and India. After the conclusion of the three Tests, the three-match ODI series will be played in the Western Cape. It is not clear whether Boland Park in Paarl will host any matches, as per the original schedule. The CSA officials decided on the new schedule after a marathon six-hour meeting.
As per reports, CSA director of cricket Graeme Smith and his good and cordial relationship with BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah played a huge role in the tour going ahead. Earlier, South Africa’s foreign ministry thanked BCCI for allowing its A team to continue with South Africa tour. It also assured to provide the senior men’s team with a fully secure bio-bubble environment. Ganguly has also said the tour will go as per schedule.
