Sri Lanka Cricket Team To Tour South Africa For Two-Test Series

Dec 11, 2020 at 12:54 PM

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Sri Lanka Cricket Team To Tour South Africa For Two-Test Series

Sri Lanka have finally confirmed South African tour for the upcoming two-match Test series scheduled to be played from Boxing Day, December 26 onwards at Centurion and Johannesburg.

A statement from Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed the development after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had lingered over the tour and even considered options of playing it at Sri Lanka after England didn’t play the ODI series against South Africa tour after the completion of three T20Is owing to fresh coronavirus cases among England and South African staff members at South Africa.

Cricket South Africa
Cricket South Africa-Photo Credit: CSA.

Sri Lanka Confirm The 2 Match Test Series In South Africa From 26th December

England played all 3 T20Is and won all of them before the 3 match ODI series abandonment with positive Covid-19 cases in the England camp and the staff working at Vineyard Hotel. England had previously abandoned the test trip to Sri Lanka when the coronavirus outbreak first escalated, and the South African series was their first post-Covid-19.

“Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Sri Lanka Cricket are pleased to jointly confirm the two-match, Betway Test Series scheduled to be played in Centurion and Johannesburg from 26 December will continue as planned. The series, which forms part of the ICC World Test Championship, is still on course and the organizations look forward to a successful and competitive clash between two teams that are equally thrilled to return to red-ball action,” said a statement from CSA on Thursday.

Sri Lanka Cricket
Sri Lanka Cricket- Image credits: Wikipedia

The boards held detailed discussions with Namal Rajapaksa and apprised the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports of Sri Lanka about the situation in South Africa.

Sri Lanka Had Discussions With Namal Rajapaksa After Which SLC Medical Unit Advised Sri Lanka To Proceed With Series

The SLC medical team unit gave its approval after assessing the risks. The Sri Lankan team, coached by Mickey Arthur, will also be accompanied by a mental health specialist. The head coach, accompanied by a health specialist, will travel with immediate effect to South Africa to assess the situation and make arrangements.

“Discussions SLC held with the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports of Sri Lanka, Honourable Namal Rajapaksa, ended with the decision to honour the commitments made under the FTP. This was followed by an assessment conducted by the SLC Medical Unit headed by Professor Arjuna De Silva, who advised SLC to proceed with the series. The Sri Lanka men’s team will leave for South Africa as scheduled, while Head Coach Mickey Arthur, accompanied by a health specialist will travel with immediate effect to South Africa to further assess the situation and make necessary arrangements for the team’s arrival,” added the statement.

Earlier Judge Zak Yacoob, who is the chair of CSA’s interim board, has mentioned that there is no justification for England to abandon their ODI leg in the tour of South Africa following coronavirus cases among staff members.

Micky Arthur
Micky Arthur. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

During a press conference, he mentioned that he was almost 95% certain that the island country would be arriving ahead of their scheduled tour for their 2 match test series in December and that the big three boards — BCCI, CA and ECB act as “laws unto themselves”.

Test Series schedule between Sri Lanka and South Africa

Saturday, 26-30 December 2020: 1st Test match At SuperSport Park, Centurion

Sunday, 03-07 January 2021: 2nd Test match At Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

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Sri Lanka Cricket Team To Tour South Africa For Two-Test Series
Sri Lanka Cricket Team To Tour South Africa For Two-Test Series

Dec 11, 2020, 12:54 PM


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