Proteas to face four big names in 2016/17 home season
In between the visits by Australia and Sri Lanka the Castle Lager Proteas will go ‘down under’ for a Test series against Australia.
CRICKET South Africa (CSA) announced another bumper programme of home international matches for the 2016/17 season during which fans can look forward to the Proteas taking on New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka and Ireland.
With the past August month having proved successful for hosting international cricket, the 2016/17 season will again make an early start with two Sunfoil test matches against New Zealand in the second half of August 2016. This will be followed by a five-match Momentum ODI Series against Australia from the end of September to the middle of October 2016. This series will be preceded by the visit of Ireland who will play two ODIs, one against the Proteas and the other against Australia.
Sri Lanka will be the guests of CSA for the traditional December 2016 to January 2017 part of the season and will face the Proteas in three Sunfoil test matches, five Momentum ODIs and three KFC T20 international matches.
In between the visits by Australia and Sri Lanka the Castle Lager Proteas will go down under for a test series against Australia and, after the Sri Lankan tour, they will visit New Zealand for a full tour in February and March.
“We are looking forward to yet another full international season with test matches starting in August against New Zealand,” said CSA chief executive, Haroon Lorgat.
“Playing against New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and Sri Lanka in one season will test the winning ways of our Proteas and it will also provide our fans with the opportunity to watch the Proteas in action at home in five Sunfoil test matches, 11 Momentum ODIs and three KFC T20 international matches.
“Test cricket will remain the main focus for our world number one ranked team and I am pleased the ICC has increased the total test rankings prize money to $US 1,8-million. Our team will no doubt have a keen eye on ODI cricket too as the major ICC event in 2017 is the ICC Champions Trophy to be played in England in mid 2017. By announcing the fixtures early we are creating time for our most loyal fans to make their holiday plans to follow the team,” said Lorgat.
Warren Deutrom, CEO of Cricket Ireland, welcomed the opportunity to play ODIs against two of the game’s powerhouses.
“Cricket Ireland is most grateful to CSA and Cricket Australia for giving us this opportunity. These matches are precisely what John Bracewell was referring to when he said we need more matches, more regularly, against the best players, in overseas conditions. The recent series played by Ireland and Afghanistan in Zimbabwe plus our ODIs against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 2016, and now these matches, show that the 12 team ODI structure is beginning to bear fruit. Long may that continue.”
