SA fans can get ready for a bumper season in 2016

THE Proteas missed out on the opportunity to do battle with Australia at last season’s ODI World Cup but will now get the chance to face their formidable foes on home soil. The world champions will visit South Africa from the end of September to the middle of October next year to play five one-day internationals.

This will be a hugely anticipated series with Australia currently the No 1 team on the ICC ODI rankings, while the Proteas have moved up to third after a historic 3-2 away series victory over India recently. South Africa and Australia will both also face the ever-improving Ireland in an ODI at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.

However, the Aussies and the Irish are not the only quality touring teams South Africans can look forward to seeing next season. After the successful hosting of World Cup runners-up New Zealand for three ODIs this past August, the Black Caps will be back again during the traditional winter months next season, only then New Zealand will play two test matches against the Proteas.

The Kiwis are a muchimproved test team since their last tussle with the world’s No 1 ranked test side in South Africa. Spearheaded by Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander, the Proteas handed out a 2-0 drubbing which included dismissing Brendon McCullum’s team for an embarrassing 45 in the first innings of the first test at Newlands.

Angelo Mathews’ Sri Lankans will provide the entertainment over the traditional festive period with a bumper tour consisting of three tests, five ODIs and three T20 internationals. Having missed out on a test against the visiting England team this year as the Boxing Day test returns to Kingsmead in Durban, Port Elizabeth will once again be afforded five-day cricket with the Sri Lankans scheduled to play the second test at St George’s Park. New Zealand Tour 2016 August 19-23: First test, Kingsmead, Durban August 27-31: Second test, SuperSport Park, Centurion Ireland Tour 2016 September 25: ODI v South Africa, Day, Willowmoore Park, Benoni September 27: ODI v Australia, Day, Willowmoore Park, Benoni Australia Tour 2016 September 30: First ODI, Day/Night, SuperSport Park, Centurion October 2: Second ODI, Day, Wanderers, Johannesburg October 5: Third ODI, D/N, Kingsmead, Durban October 9: Fourth ODI, Day, St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth October 12: Fifth ODI, D/N, Newlands Sri Lanka Tour 2016/17

“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.

“Test cricket will remain December 8-10: 3-Day Tour match, SA Invitation XI, Potchefstroom December 15-19: First test, Wanderers, Johannesburg December 26-30: Second test, St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth January 2-6: Third Test, Newlands January 10: First T20 International, D/N, Newlands January 13: Second T20I, D/N, SuperSport Park, Centurion January 15: Third T20I, Day, Wanderers, Johannesburg January 20: First ODI, D/N, Kingsmead, Durban January 22: Second ODI, Day, St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth January 27: Third ODI, D/N, Newlands January 29: Fourth ODI, Day, Wanderers, Joburg February 3: Fifth ODI, D/N, SuperSport Park, Centurion the main focus for our world No 1 ranked team and I am pleased the ICC has increased the total test rankings prize money to $1.8million.

“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.”

The Proteas are currently on tour in India where they have already won both the T20 and ODI series’ and are seeking to complete the “treble” when the first Test starts in Mohali tomorrow.