England announce T20I and ODI tour to South Africa next month
England will go back into the bubble next month for International Twenty20 and one day international series in South Africa.
England’s first tour since the coronavirus pandemic began will be played out amid bio-secure plans agreed with the Proteas.
Cricket South Africa ratified plans with the South Africa government, granting travel exemptions for England’s players and management.
Official Statement: England men’s white-ball team to tour South Africa
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 21, 2020
England will fly out of London on November 16 with the three IT20 clashes and three ODIs held in Cape Town and Paarl.
Short-format captain Eoin Morgan earlier this week predicted that players could withdraw from bio-secure tours given the mental health challenges.
But England will now be on the road next month and dealing with all the challenges of playing behind closed doors.
England will pay for their own chartered flight to travel out to South Africa, and are expected to take an extended squad of up to 24 players to meet the tour’s demands.
“We are looking forward to touring South Africa,” said ECB chief executive Tom Harrison.
“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.”
England will base themselves in Cape Town and training at Western Province Cricket Club ahead of the IT20 series will include three intra-squad practice matches.
The first IT20 match will be held at Newlands on Friday, November 27 with the three-match ODI series starting at the same venue on Friday, December 4.
“This is a wonderful boost for cricket,” commented Cricket South Africa’s acting chief executive Kugandrie Govender.
“I would like to express CSA’s appreciation and sincere gratitude to the South African government for the support they have given us to make this return to international cricket in our country a reality.”
Latest
-
NewsJofra Archer will ‘get better and better’ but England batting needs more bite
Archer took one for 81 on a hot and sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein.
-
NewsEngland beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century
Roy scored 113 off just 91 balls but South Africa ran out winners by 27 runs.
-
NewsEngland reach Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup final after winning thriller
With Australia 96 for nine chasing 100, the England captain trapped Maggie Clark lbw to send her side through to face India in the final.
-
NewsJofra Archer toils for little reward as South Africa set England 299 to win ODI
Archer believes he is at about “80 per cent” fitness so some rust was inevitable.
-
NewsWomen’s T20 World Cup in South Africa to have all-female match officials
Three match referees and 10 umpires will form the 13-strong team.
-
England5 talking points as England turn attention to ODI format in a World Cup year
England have travelled to South Africa for three one-day internationals.
-
EnglandEngland captain Jos Buttler backs Jason Roy as the opener bids to find his form
Roy will open the innings alongside Dawid Malan as part of a new-look top-order in Friday’s first ODI against South Africa.
-
EnglandJofra Archer set to make long-awaited England comeback against South Africa
There were minor alarms when the fast bowler was not seen at Bloemfontein’s Mangaung Oval on Thursday.
-
Women's CricketIt’s the right time – England bowler Katherine Brunt retires from county cricket
The 37-year-old will play in this summer’s Hundred but will not feature for the Northern Diamonds or Yorkshire.
-
EnglandEngland stars Ben Stokes and Nat Sciver win ICC cricketer of the year awards
Sciver finished the World Cup as the tournament’s third-highest scorer as England reached the final