South Africa vs Sri Lanka Test series to go ahead
Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Sri Lanka Cricket have jointly confirmed the two-match Test Series scheduled to be played in Centurion and Johannesburg will continue as planned.
The first Test is scheduled to get underway on Boxing Day (26 December) with the second set to start on 3 January 2021 at the Wanderers.
Sri Lanka Test series to go ahead
The series presents South Africa with a chance to get off the ground in the World Test Championship.
“The series, which forms part of the ICC World Test Championship, is very much still on course and the Boards look forward to a successful and competitive clash between two teams that are equally thrilled to return to red-ball action,” a statement issued by CSA read.
“Discussions SLC held with the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Namal Rajapaksa, of Sri Lanka 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.”
CSA say that Sri Lanka’s South African coach Mickey Arthur will repair to the country this week ahead of the arrival of the full squad with a view to assessing the situation.
The tour was thrown into doubt by the cancellation of the ODI series between South Africa and England following an apparent breach of the bio-bubble.
CSA’s acting CEO Kugandrie Govender said: “Cricket South Africa appreciates the ongoing support from Sri Lanka Cricket under the leadership of Ashley de Silva, who has never wavered in its willingness to engage us in important and open discussions around our plans and the state of our readiness for the tour. We are thankful that these discussions have allayed any trepidation around CSA’s ability to successfully host home tours in these unpredicted times.
“As always, we are excited to host the Sri Lankan team in this important, World Test Championship series that will yield crucial points towards the points table for the eventual winners. We are also certain that cricket fans around the world will tune in for another series of thrilling cricket on display.”
South Africa Test Series against Sri Lanka
Saturday, 26-30 December 2020 at 10:00 SAST (08:00 GMT):
1st Test match (WTC) South Africa v Sri Lanka, SuperSport Park, Centurion
3 – 7 January 2021 at 10:00 SAST (08:00 GMT):
2nd Test match (WTC) South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
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